Conditions: It averages between 90 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit outside of the clearing, but in the mid-to-high 70s within it. While in the clearing, a ley line runs through the party's camp.

Mapping the Swamp: The SET takes a few days to explore the area around the clearing, and you get a good idea of the general makeup of the swamp. With a combination of fliers, vehicle scanners, and good old-fashioned scouting, you are able to produce fairly detailed maps of the area. On the third day, you discover a trail wide enough that it could have once passed for a road before it became overgrown.

Kuikku's team (Kuikku, Conrad and Toshiro) scouts the trail on day four, and finds signs that the it has been used by vehicles recently, with the tracks becoming clearer the farther from the clearing they got. As they stop to remove some debris blocking the road, Toshiro gets sidetracked scouting down a trail looking for a way around when he discovers a raptor nest, with brutal results. He returns to the group just as Conrad finishes hauling the last of the major debris out if the way, when the rumble of an ATV can be heard from up ahead.

A moment later, an oversized Big Boss ATV comes roaring around the bend and comes to a hasty stop no more than fifty feet away, its tires kicking up mud as it skids to a halt. A tense moment passes before you hear the driver curse, loudly, and then pop open the door.

A massive Grackle Tooth emerges from the vehicle, nonchalantly carrying a plasma ejector as if it weighed nothing. She’s wearing some of the most elaborate body armor you have ever seen; it is beautiful, but its plates are placed at odd angles and it seems to shift color subtly as the light hits it, forcing you to focus or risk your eyes sliding right past her. She is not wearing a helmet, and her eyes don’t stray from Kuikku as she stands in the road looking somehow poised for action and simultaneously unconcerned.

”I was starting to think they weren’t gonna send anyone else after Wright went back. Sorry, you’d know him as Sir Wright, wouldn’t you? Thought maybe Coake forgot about us down here in the muck when Peter didn’t come back. Folks around here have been real worried, and it’s been getting worse…” she trails off. ”You were sent out here to finish what Peter started, weren’t you? Wait, why wasn’t he sent back with you?”

After a lengthy (and initially confusing) conversation, you learn several things:

Her name is Ma’arlys and she is a local trapper and hunter.

There is a town about ten miles up the road.

Many of the locals are sick with an odd disease that leaves them with painful sores and at least two people have died. The cause of the disease is unknown.

Peter of Wright, a Cyber-Knight of some renown (according to Ma’arlys), had visited their town on his way through the swamp. He employed Ma’arlys as a guide, and the two of them discovered that a certain plant could help lessen the effects of the disease. She explains that the plant has been picked clean around the town, but can still be found farther out.

While investigating, Peter and she got into a scrape with a local tribe of eco-wizards and barbarians who were chanting over the corpses of several dead animals and at least one townsperson (almost like some weird cult). The fight was fierce, and the barbarians fell back to the wild. She and Peter tracked the tribe back to the Jungle Castle, but even Peter did not want to go there unless in force. Disturbed by what he had seen, Peter determined he would head north, report back to Lord Coake via one of his connections, and return with help. That was over a month ago.

She likes to call Conrad “little brother.”

Note: Feel free to role play this and ask any additional questions you may have in your posts.

——————————————-

After their conversation with Ma’arlys, Kuikku and his team head back to the clearing. Ma’arlys has told them to come find her in town, and left an address of where to ask after her. She has a load of the curative plant to return to the townsfolk, but hopes the team can do something more to help.

As they enter the clearing, the now-familiar protective energy washes over them. When it reaches Toshiro who is sitting in the back of the Mountaineer, there is an audible “pop!” and the pressure in the clearing seems to change. The air becomes more muggy and the temperature begins to rise to the level of the rest of the swamp, and the faint cries of dying raptor hatchlings can be heard echoing through the clearing.

What Next?!

A simple success with Knowledge (Arcana) will tell you that the protective spell around the clearing has fallen! Furthermore, Kuikku may make a common knowledge roll with no modifier to recognize the name of Sir Peter. Anyone else who has significant experience with cyber-knights in their backstory may make a roll at -2 (if you were involved in the war at Tolkeen, for example). Finally, anyone who has experience with the swamp in their backstory may make a Common Knowledge roll to know about the Jungle Castle at -2. Anyone with Knowledge History (or something similar) may make a roll with no modifier.

What will you do with your newfound knowledge?

Note that the party begins this next portion of the adventure with all Fatigue recovered and at full ISP/PPE.

Its not often I get a chance to let Gift roam and romp. This clearing is a boon to be certain. Who knows I might get a good nights sleep.I don’t think so Jareb. You see I sent some baby raptors and their parental units to attack a few of your comrades.You would not do such a thing. Not even a darkness such as yourself would be so cruel. Baby raptors, by the celetial pantheon!Not only would I but I did Angel. You know how this place gets when the innocent are slaughtered. You will never get a good night in my swamp Angel. Seek your fortunes elsewhere!

Jareb falls off a rocky perch while watching gift catching Tosh and the others walk into the clearing. Jareb laments as the protective barrier colapses and the natural swamp reasurts itself. ” I had one hour of peace. One hour...” He walks over to the returned group. He shakes their hands unexpectedly while putting Gift back in her pack. ” Thank you all for giving me that time. I know forces in this swamp align themselves against us. At every turn the shadow deepens and darkness grows like a thick moss. Comfort will be all but impossible to find and yet we did, and it was a blessing while it lasted.”

Jareb stores his gear and affixes his weapons in accessible hosters and straps. He smiles again looking longingly at the clearing, ” I suspect you found something. Lets have it out and make our move.”

Kuikku helps Conrad move the last of the fallen tree out of the way. Wiping the sweat of his brow he looks around for Toshiro. Seeing everyone is close at hand Kuikku starts to tell them to load back up when the roar of a large engine calls attention to itself. Watching the Big Boss slide to a stop Kuikku quietly activates his Cyber-Armor and wishes his helmet was closer. When the female Grackle Tooth gets out he glances at Conrad to gauge his reaction.

Upon hearing the name 'Sir Peter Wright' Kuikku shakes his head. "I am afraid I have not heard of Sir Wright but we were sent by the Tomorrow Legion. What can we help you with?” After a bit of a discussion there is finally an understanding of the situation. ”Well, we were sent here to look into some sort of cult and it sounds like you have encountered them. Before we get to that though what else can you tell us about this disease and the plants that help? When we go collect the rest of our group we can look for more and bring it with us.”

After getting further details on the disease and plant Kuikku starts asking a few more questions. ”I have heard of Jungle Castle but can you fill in a bit more. Where is it from your village? How many inhabitants did you see there? Can you tell us more about the defenses?”

When he gets as many details as Ma'arlys is able to give he nods. ”Ok, we will go and get the rest of our group and try to get to your village as quickly as possible. Based on the time and where everyone is I think we should be able to get there by this evening but it may be tomorrow some time. When we get there we will offer what help we can before working on the Castle itself. Travel in safety until we meet again.”

Climbing into the Mountaineer Kuikku kicks on the radio. ”Everyone head back to the clearing. We have finally encountered someone who has some information on the situation. While you head back be on the look out for (insert plant description) because they are needing as much of this as we can find.” As his group heads back Kuikku continues on the radio filling the rest in on what they have learned.

When the Mountaineer enters the clearing Kuikku hears the pop but is unable to tie it any specific trigger. ”It looks like the clearing has also decided that it is time to move on. We need to pack up all our stuff and head towards the village. If we work quick enough we should be able to get there before night fall and can move towards the Castle tomorrow morning. Let's get to it people.”

OOC Comments

I am sure our group will be able to take care of the Castle, after all I am leading. I also figure being in the truck Kuikku would not necessarily link Toshiro with the fall of the barrier.

1) "What it's proper name is, I don't know. We call it the athen plant, and it's a weed that looks like a cross between scrub grass and baby wildflowers. Here, lemme show you." She grabs a handful of the plant and holds it out for you to see (or for Toshiro to record).

For Those Who Make Their Rolls: About the Jungle Castle

The jungle castle is actually the ruins of a pre-Rifts theme park, complete with a looming medieval-style castle. It has long been a landmark of the swamps, but in recent years has been known to be inhabited by all sorts of monsters, carnivorous plants, and other undesirables.

2) "The Jungle castle is about 20 miles from town through some dense swamps. As for its defenses, I couldn't tell you. Once he realized where we were headed, Peter didn't want to even get near the outer lot. I can tell you it's home to all kinds of nasty creatures and that folks who go in don't often come out. If the eco-wizards and barbarians are holed up there, they've either got powerful friends or they're a heck of a lot more numerous than just the ones Sir Wright and I encountered. "

For Those Who Make Their Rolls: About Peter of Wright

Sir Peter is well-known among the Cyber-Knights and is a member of Lord Coake's inner circle. He's young for such a lofty position, and he is known as more of a warrior than a diplomat. He stayed out of the Tolkeen War at Lord Coake's request and seems to have ended up in the Dinosaur Swamp at some point.

Now that Kuikku's team has returned and told you what's going on, you may assume that your characters all know the contents of the conversation with Ma'arlys.

Jareb had everything ready to go. Pistols check, Tesla bow secured. Pack sinched, Gift secure with Mr. Diggles, and the sword of St. Cathrine—. Did Kuikku say Ma’aryls?
Jareb scratches his neck trying to be inconspiceuos about his questioning to the team, ” Say, this Grackle-tooth you met, didn’t happen to have a set of unique and shall we say elaborate armor?”

Who almost became Gifts protector

A beautiful and bold angel named Serina held the baby girl just birthed named gift. She looked out into the streets of El Paso for here she was certain desitny would provide her with a worthy protector for the baby gift. Standing next to her was a flamwind dragon newly hatched her protector.

Serina nodded to the dragon who was clearly figiting as they waited near a magical animal stable. ” Grynn, stop nosing those bridles, some of them may wipe your memory and alter your form for days on end. I can feel the one we are desitined to meet is approaching.”

Sure enough moments later a female Grackletooth came walking up to the two. She seemed a bit confused but said, ” Rex over in the pit and bulls said you might have a job?”

Serina calmly nodded, ” Time is short so I will be direct. This...” She holds forth the baby girl, ” Needs a protector and I am in need of one who is noble and willing to be her adoptive parent.”

The grackletooth chuckled, ” So that is me?” Her question was less than increduleous and carried a hint of intrest.

The angel Serina nodded, ” Oh yes it is, and it is not without compensation.” She waved her hands and a set of beautiful and exquisit armor appeared next to the grackletooth. ” Know this, the baby is a True Atlantean removed decades from her time. There are those that will seek this child for unseemly power. Here in the future I hope she can remain hidden, but even so a worthy protector must always be by her side and care for her. The magics of time travel have stunted her growth to a level beyond the atlanteans.” Serina clutched her wrist where her braclet of time lay... ” Time is running short, what do you say?”

The Grackletooth looked at the armor in wonder, then the baby, angel and dragon. Her lips set in rugged dermination opened, ” I Ma’aryls do...” The rest of her words never got a chance to form as a drunken Angel and naked succubi, bowled into her and the others whilest riding a robo horse.

Somehow the drunk angel ended up with the baby Gift in hand. Serina recogonized the fallen 13th general of the celestial armies almost immediately with a scowl, ” Jareb, you scourge! Un hand that baby. She is a gift, and deserves a valiant protector like Ma’aryls.”

Jareb glanced down at the baby and it tugged on his nose. His face sobered quickly and he made a choice that would forever alter his life, ” Sounds good Serina, looks like you are out of time, but I will protect this Gift!” To the angels chargrin he tosses the baby in the air while she giggles all the way up and down. But as he said her time ran out and she disappeared.

The female Grackletooth was less than amused, ” Jareb was it? Give me that baby and we can forget this incident.”
She cocks her plasma rifle, not yet aiming it at him.

Jareb pulled his naked demonic ally in close for a smooch and then looked at the Grackletooth. ” Ma’aryls right? Thats what Serina called you ... I got this, the kid likes me.” Gift giggled and blew spit bubbles up at Jareb. Jareb laughed,” Plus if you want her you better sprout wings, lets go Lilith!” He and his succubi friend took to the sky on their magetic respective white feathered and black leather wings. The last thing Ma’aryls saw was the two tossing gift like a football while laughing flying through the air.

In case you were wondering what happened to the dragon? After the robo horse crashed into the gaggle of folks and the bridle stall, yup you guessed it the dragon ended up with a bridle on it that trapped it in the future as a docile psi-pony. Soon to be sold to the Halloways, and in a few years freed by a mystic named Ashlyn.

Jareb clearly looks a bit nervous. I was an ass back then, maybe she doesn’t even remember... No of course she will remember. Hopefully she does not shoot first and gives me a chance to show that I am a better individual. Nevertheless Jareb’s qualms aside he is ready to head to the village.

The others rolled back into the clearing and Sierra waved to them from where she was sunbathing on the roof of one of the vehicles. She tilted her head as she thought she heard something like a pop sound, but couldn’t be sure over the sound of the vehicle.

“Cool. Finally something to do other than fly circles!” the redheaded burster said, grabbing up her new TW clothes and duster and getting dressed. “Is it just me, or is it actually getting a little warm and muggy here now?”

Sierra helped top off their water supply before climbing into the air conditioned vehicle with her gear. “So, Conrad, you gonna hit up that girl-grackle? Is she cute? I bet you could tap that! I mean, how many eligible grackle bachelors are there out here in the middle of nowhere? I bet she has an itch needs scratching.”

Tyraxas' eyes perk up as he hears the pop. "It would appear the protection of this place is no longer in effect. It seems an arbitrary time for such a spell to expire." He stands from his previous prone position. "It is time we are off. I shall follow above you all. Perhaps, for the purposes of tranquility, you might stop outside of the village before we arrive, and allow me to assume a less impressive form?" He stretches his wings and prepares to take flight.

Update for Sierra, Toshiro and anyone else with Danger Sense: When you do your notice roll for this post, please include the -2 modifier for Danger Sense and an Agility roll if you succeed on your Notice roll. You may use bennies on the rolls as normal. Do not worry about narrating the Danger Sense roll, as that will be for next scene. Thanks!

Toshiro grabs his new shotgun, and takes cover when the ATV approaches from down the road. When Ma'arlys appears carrying the plasma ejector, he releases the safety on the weapon. However, as it becomes clear that she is not going to attack, Toshiro steps out from behind cover, though he doesn't engage the safety or take his finger off the trigger until the strangers pack up and go.

Toshiro stays silent during the exchange, but he snaps a couple of photos and a short video of the restorative plant when Ma'arlys shows it to the legionnaires. He rubs his fingers along the subject matter port implanted on the left side of his head. Not for the first time he laments the loss of his chip stash, leaving him with only what he had in when Veritas dropped him in the jungle.

That medical database would have come in handy right about now...

Neither the 'Jungle Castle' nor 'Sir Wright' rings any bells with Toshiro. He had been to the Dinosaur Swamp only once on a caravan trip before the incident, but that had been such a failed undertaking that Toshiro's father had never done business in the area again.

Toshiro throws his shotgun into the back and climbs back into the Mountaineer. When they roll into the clearing, Toshiro hears the pop of the protective spell. Although the others probably hear it, he is likely the only one to recognize the sound of baby raptors. He immediately knows why the spell has failed.

He rolls his eyes as he hops out of the mountaineer.

Stupid spirit doesn't understand mercy when it sees it.

He makes no effort to explain what happened to the rest of the legion. After all, they had put so much effort into saving the T-rexes. He doubts they'd appreciate the story.

Toshiro first makes for the spring, and after inspecting it to make sure the water flowing from it is still pure despite the failure of the spell, he fills his canteen and whatever water stores the Legion has. He then helps to break camp, and spends an extra time before leaving search for the plant Ma'arlys showed to them.

Norona gasps as the protective magic from the clearing wanes. He knows one of their group, or some other factor, has removed the blessing and it saddens him deeply. While now is not the time to cast judgement upon his group, there would need to be a restitution at some point. For now, the cultists and the blight of shadows remains the focus. News of the blight affecting the town makes him think for a moment, and the mention of cultists cause his pointed ears to perk up even further, "No doubt this is connected to our mission. I will search for the aten plant as we head for the town."

Making his way along the ground, rather than in his hover cycle, Norona and Zoffa scout the areas for the plant in question. As they uncover some he takes a few minutes to examine it for any medicinal or magical properties.

Deezy listens to the story, fidgeting with some tools in her hands all the while until it's complete. Everyone starts gathering up their stuff and getting ready to go, so she follows suit.

"You know, it seems to me what we need is some really good intel-gathering!" she puts forward to the others. "I've been messing around with a sort of 'eye in the sky' type thing that could fit the bill! Just give me the word and I'll get it together and plug it in and we'll see what we can find out!"

Hindrances
Overconfident (Major): Never give up...NEVER SURRENDER!
Greedy (Minor): Building something like this is going to take a load of bread to capitalize...where’m I gonna get the money?!
Habit (Minor): Too hyperactive!

Least Jameson’s mapping software is working he mused , Can’t go into a jungle without expecting to run into trees at times in places you don’t want em. As he cleared it away, If nobody saw it fall, did it make a sound? He chuckled to himself

As they heard a noise up ahead, Conrad moved back to the Mountaineer, prepping the Rail Gun just in case of trouble
As the Big Boss ATV arrived, Conrad’s eyes bulged as he saw Ma’arlys get out wielding the Plasma Ejector. Of course, when she spoke he wasn't happy.

‘little brother indeed’ Conrad grumbled mentally

Jungle castle meant nothing to him, but he’d heard of Sir Peter Wright from some of the Knights he’d met during the war of Tolkeen. If their leader doesn’t recognise the name from his order, Conrad fills him in with the info he knew.

When they return, he heard the loud pop even inside the ATV; what the frak was that?
He left it to Kuikku to explain whom they had met and the circumstances whilst he checked over the ATV in case the pop was anything to do with the vehicle. He didn't think it was and no sensors had gone off, but always wisest to check.

Jareb wrote:Jareb scratches his neck trying to be inconspiceuos about his questioning to the team, ” Say, this Grackle-tooth you met, didn’t happen to have a set of unique and shall we say elaborate armor?”

"yeah, that's her chummer." Conrad confirms to Jareb his worst fears with a smile on his face and complete obliviousness to the impact on Jareb.

Sierra Mackenzie wrote:“Cool. Finally something to do other than fly circles!” the redheaded burster said, grabbing up her new TW clothes and duster and getting dressed. “Is it just me, or is it actually getting a little warm and muggy here now?”

“Funny you should say that chummer, thought I heard some raptor cries when we arrived. Maybe it was a temporary thing. Norona would know.” He looked around and when he spotted him …“Hey Norona,” he called over to the elf, “any idea why it’s stopped being temperate in the clearing chummer?”

Sierra Mackenzie wrote:Sierra helped top off their water supply before climbing into the air conditioned vehicle with her gear. “So, Conrad, you gonna hit up that girl-grackle? Is she cute? I bet you could tap that! I mean, how many eligible grackle bachelors are there out here in the middle of nowhere? I bet she has an itch needs scratching.”

“Heh,” Conrad chuckled, “trust you to go straight there.” He scratched his chin with his tail as he hoisted up the water filter into the ATV, then topped for a moment to think about it. "She's already been calling little brother, so not exactly an auspicious start on that front." Apart from Tyraxas, Conrad stood head and shoulders above anybody else in the team.

“Don’t forget anything chummers. Anything you do is gonna get claimed by the jungle as this seems to no longer be a safe place."

Deezy Klatta wrote:"You know, it seems to me what we need is some really good intel-gathering!" she puts forward to the others. "I've been messing around with a sort of 'eye in the sky' type thing that could fit the bill! Just give me the word and I'll get it together and plug it in and we'll see what we can find out!"

"That sounds like a great idea" Kuikku exclaims. "How far can you see? What are the odds the other guys will see your device? Can you pick up sound as well? We may need to try overhearing conversations. Will all of us be able to see the output or just you? Toshiro can record what we see for later review. How long will it last? If it works could you do it again? Maybe longer." Suddenly Kuikku becomes silent and thoughtful. "Wow, you really do rub off on people don't you?"

Sierra winced at Conrad. “Little brother? Ouch! That’s worse than the friend zone! But hey, maybe you can win her over. Just gotta try, right? I mean, when’s the last time you hit it with a girl-grackle and not your tail?”

Sierra grunted as she helped load another water canister into the back.

Tyraxas peers down at Conrad after Sierra's comment. "Hit it? Your tail would certainly serve as a fine weapon, but you need horns on your tail to be truly effective. See here!" With that, he finds a mostly open area of the clearing, then swings his tail about, the wind whistling over the spines and horns on his tail. "If a dragon's tail is a clap of thunder, mine brings lightning as well, to stab out of the thundercloud!" He beams with pride at the magnificence he drags behind him. "The rest of you will never know the satisfaction of throttling a deserving enemy with your tail, as Conrad and I do." He turns back to Conrad. "Do you suppose your kind are a descendant of dragons? You do have some features one might describe as 'draconic'. Perhaps, in the myriad of dimensions, dragons spawned your ancestors. Except maybe the legs..." He shrugs, then goes on about his business, helping load whatever needs carried into the vehicles.

Sierra Mackenzie wrote:“I mean, when’s the last time you hit it with a girl-grackle and not your tail?”

Kuikku stops what he is doing and looks over at Sierra. Then he looks at Conrad. With a shudder he goes back to policing the area for any trash.

Jareb looks at Kuikku who is looking at Sierra who then looks at Conrad, he then covers Gifts ears and eyes. He nodds. I feel like I should say something in this disscussion but I really got nothing other than a bad feeling when we meet this Grackle Lady. I wonder if Deezy could make me a signature item with actual super powers... I suspect at some point she might, and perhaps if it was truely signature she could just accidentally make something as a one off.

” I am ready to move out when you are Kuikku, lets hope we do not encounter any angry raptors with boom guns. 32nd lets fly or roll out!”

Deezy Klatta wrote:"You know, it seems to me what we need is some really good intel-gathering!" she puts forward to the others. "I've been messing around with a sort of 'eye in the sky' type thing that could fit the bill! Just give me the word and I'll get it together and plug it in and we'll see what we can find out!"

“If you can, maybe link it up to the sensor programme Jameson set up,” Conrad suggested, the young former CS trooper waving as he spoke.“Please, if you can, it will add to the data we have,” Jameson spoke a little shyly, “oh and also can be quickly disseminated between the vehicles.” She still felt uncomfortable around the squad; Deezy and Sierra she liked and felt most comfortable in their presence. The others were an increasing level of not human, though some of their foibles made her laugh.

It was Jareb made her most uncomfortable; considering what he resembled.

Sierra Mackenzie wrote: “Little brother? Ouch! That’s worse than the friend zone! But hey, maybe you can win her over. Just gotta try, right? I mean, when’s the last time you hit it with a girl-grackle and not your tail?”

Jameson guffawed at Sierra’s comment

Conrad loomed over Sierra, blocking out the sun. “What my tail and I get up to….!!!!” Conrad sounded angry, as he peered down on her. For a second, everything felt very tense until his tail reaches round and tickles Sierra behind her ear. When she turns to look at it, the tail cheekily waves at her and flits around to the other side, where it tickles her again.

“It’s not a sexual organ Sierra. Those are elsewhere on my person chummer.” Conrad’s demeanour completely changed as he gave her a toothy grin.“Though just a word to the wise Chummers if you ever have to do any doctoring on me, those aren’t my knees caps.”

Tyraxas wrote:Tyraxas peers down at Conrad after Sierra's comment. "Hit it? Your tail would certainly serve as a fine weapon, but you need horns on your tail to be truly effective. See here!" With that, he finds a mostly open area of the clearing, then swings his tail about, the wind whistling over the spines and horns on his tail. "If a dragon's tail is a clap of thunder, mine brings lightning as well, to stab out of the thundercloud!" He beams with pride at the magnificence he drags behind him. "The rest of you will never know the satisfaction of throttling a deserving enemy with your tail, as Conrad and I do." He turns back to Conrad. "Do you suppose your kind are a descendant of dragons? You do have some features one might describe as 'draconic'. Perhaps, in the myriad of dimensions, dragons spawned your ancestors. Except maybe the legs..." He shrugs, then goes on about his business, helping load whatever needs carried into the vehicles.

He looks up at the dragon and shrugged

"Don't know chummer. If we are, then anything magic and psionic related have been completed obliterated. You'll never see a Grack doing those chummer. Just aren't capable of it. That probably suggests otherwise."

Before they leave, Jameson stops in front of the APC, mumbles quietly to her herself with her eyes closed and then crosses herself before climbing inside.
Spot ambush

OOC Comments

Notice 1d8+2 = 8: 6
Wild dice 1d6+2 = 7: 5

Conrad washes the muck off the ATV as best he can, particularly around the crosses designed to prevent vampires from gaining access. Just because they had dealt with a nest and they were in a swamp didn’t mean they could take it for granted none of their kind were around. Always vigilant of them.

The temperature is around 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the late afternoon. The party leaves the ley line from the clearing behind, and no other line crosses their route between the clearing and town.

Move It On Out!

It takes a few hours, but the party gets camp packed up before the day is too far gone, leaving plenty of daylight to travel to town. You climb into your vehicles and head out as follows:

Conrad and Deezy in the Mountaineer, with Conrad driving

Toshiro, Jameson, Kuikku and Sierra in the Mark IX, with Toshiro driving

Norona ranging on his hover cycle

Tyraxas and Jareb flying

The going isn’t exactly easy, but it’s a lot better now that the trail has been properly scouted and (mostly) cleared of obstructions. The party finds a few more fallen trees and the like blocking the path here and there, but they are a simple matter to move with Tyraxas along to help.

Just a mile or two past the point where Kuikku’s team met Ma’arlys earlier in the morning, something about the feel of the swamp just… shifts. It’s almost imperceptible, but the animal sounds coming from the wild around you change in octave slightly, becoming more low and guttural, and the heat in the air increases and dries out just a touch.

Toshiro’s sensors pick up the change, and Sierra’s extraordinary ability to feel danger coming kicks in. Conrad, his eyes shifting between the Mountaineer’s sensors and the swamp around them, can also feel something is amiss.

Norona, usually so at one with the wilds around him, misses the signs; perhaps he is still distracted by the fall of the barrier back at camp, or perhaps he is too focused on his search for the lifesaving plant Ma’arlys mentioned, but he continues on heedless of the change, his mind fixed elsewhere.

For their parts, Tyraxas, Jareb, Deezy and Jameson are attentive to the swamp as they pass, looking out for more obvious signs of danger.

An Old “Friend”

As he wings above the trees, a familiar, husky voice enters Jareb’s mind. Oh, lover. It was clever of you to use the protector spirit to hide, but why come back to the swamp at all? We all know to look for you here.

For Jareb

You may make a Common Knowledge roll to recognize the speaker (Jareb has had a lot of former romantic entanglements, hence the need for a roll). Also, take a Benny for your Wanted (Major) Hindrance.

While no one else hears the voice, everyone else sees the air around them begin to bend the light in odd ways, like waves on the sea. The waves of light splash around for a brief moment and then drain away, presenting the party with an unchanged view of the swamp around them with one key difference: the way ahead is blocked by foes!

Nine fearsome, red-skinned hulking humanoids block the way, all of them carrying high-tech weapons and showing very obvious signs of cybernetic enhancement. One of their number is positively brimming with cybernetic enhancements, including extra arms, and four others wear jetpacks in addition to their other gear. The gathered creatures let out a series of roars and howls as they charge the party!

Survival or K/Arcana to Identify

As the tag suggests, you may roll Survival or K/Arcana with no modifier to identify these monsters; they are common enough to Rifts earth that the skills overlap.

Intermixed with the red beasts are four smaller beings wearing impressive armor, with long blades on their forearms, tails that swish back and forth as they move, and odd-looking tentacles protruding from their backs. Where the larger beings are all spitting, howling rage, these four are a study in stoic silence, building up speed as they run.

K/Arcana at -2 to Identify

These guys are rarely seen outside of conflicts between hellspawn and do not often frequent Rifts earth. They can be identified with a K/Arcana roll at -2, but not with Survival (unless your character has a good reason in his backstory to know of such beings, as would be the case for Jareb if he would prefer to roll Survival at -2).

And behind all of them, levitating in the air, is a wisp of a female with pink skin and a hooded cloak. She pulls her hood back, and it is plain to see that she is gorgeous. Upon looking at her face, every member of the party feels an unnatural pull toward her, a yearning to throw down arms and run to the embrace of this new, enchanting presence.

K/Arcana at -4 to Identify

She practically never comes to this plane of existence unless it’s for something important, so Survival will not apply. Anyone wishing to know about this being must make a K/Arcana roll at -4 (except for Jareb, who may make Common Knowledge with no modifier, as detailed above).

To no one in particular, she says, ”Remember, the angel and the babe are mine; stay out of our way and you may have the others for whatever little game it is you are playing.”

Aaaaand, Action!

Okay, guys, this is it! Let’s go!

On Hold:

Bad Guys (Agility 5)

Conrad (Agility 5) Note: Jameson may act on Conrad’s turn for the sake of posting economy.

Sierra (Agility 6)

Toshiro (Agility 10)

Initiative:

Jareb: 10 of Clubs

Kuikku: 9 of Hearts

Norona: 9 of Diamonds

Deezy: 7 of Spades

Tyraxas: 6 of Clubs

The order of actions will be as follows: Toshiro, Sierra and Conrad will go first, in whatever order they choose. Please make your post within 3 days to keep the combat moving, or we can just say your character stays on hold.

Conrad and the bad guys tied on their Agility rolls, so technically their actions will happen simultaneously. We will handle this by having Conrad post before the bad guys and any damage Conrad causes the bad guys will be handled at the end of the GM post. Any damage the bad guys cause Conrad will need to be handled in a second post by Conrad after the GM post is over (to handle Soak rolls, etc., if necessary).

After Toshiro, Sierra and Conrad have posted (or more than 3 days have passed), I will do one post for all the baddies. After that, the remainder of the party may post in any order.

BE SURE TO INCLUDE ALL OF THE FOLLOWING IN YOUR POSTS!

Notice Rolls: I will never spam you with crit fails on Notice rolls in combat unless there is actually something I want someone to see, but please be sure to follow the house rule and include a Notice roll in your first post after any GM post. This is a big ol’ hint from the GM that there might be something worth Noticing in this scene.

Fear Check: The combined mass of brodkil (led by an extra-scary Brodkil leader) will cause everyone in the party to make a Fear check at -2. Because of his own fearsome nature, Tyraxas may make this check at no penalty. It pays to be a dragon! As a game management note, the bad guys will make their Fear check against Tyraxas at +2 to balance.

Lust Check: That’s right, a lust check. Everyone in the party who is attracted to females (up to you to decide if your character qualifies) must make a Smarts roll. Jareb must make this roll at a -2 for his Hindrance, and if he fails he adds +2 to his roll on the Lust Table (that’s a thing now; you’re welcome, world. You know what? Have another Benny, Jareb. Lots of Hindrances for you this scene.) Anyone not attracted to females still makes the roll, but they may do so at +2. This is a mystical effect, so Toshiro’s resistance to the arcane will modify his roll. If you fail, roll a d12 and consult the following table:

1-4 Inspiring Beauty: The hero is inspired to new heights of greatness by the object of his passion. He adds +2 to all Trait and damage rolls on his next action.

5-8 Shaken: The character is Shaken.

9-12 Overwhelmed by Desire: The character immediately moves his full Pace plus running die towards the focus of his lust and is Shaken.

12+ True Lust is Forever: Same effect as "Overwhelmed by Desire," except the character also gains a Minor Hindrance somehow associated with the source of his lust or the results of the encounter.

Once you have finished up those rolls, feel free to post as normal. Have fun, and good luck!

Some Bad Guy Stats for You

Some of the baddies' abilities you will figure out as you go, but here are a couple of the baseline stats that may be useful to you as you make your rolls:

Red circles are Brodkil, yellow circles are armored demons, pink circle is Jareb’s old fling. The Brodkil and armored demon bosses are marked with the letter “B” on the map. The flying Brodkil are marked with the letter "F."

Happy to be behind the drivers seat again, Toshiro takes the forward position as they travel through the swamp. As the hours of travel drag on, Toshiro keeps alert and focused. The years spent travelling as a soldier in the Tomorrow Legion had only sharpened the ability to maintain attention to detail that he had developed during his time leading caravan's for his father. He notices immediately when the feel of the swamp changes. He checks the various readings from his sensors, and spots the danger the instant before they Demon and company reveal themselves.

It's immediately apparent that the demonic newcomers are here for blood, and Toshiro responds accordingly. He pulls his seat harness away from his chest, letting it loudly snap back down on his armor, hoping everyone gets the message. He then floors the gas pedal and lines up some of the common Brodkil, hoping that they will cause less damage to the APC. As the vehicle closes the distance his hands fly expertly across the controls, and the laser turret swivels and fires a blast straight into the the ground in front of the Brodkill leader.

As he is making preparations to stop the vehicle, Toshiro's internal sensors give off yet another proximity alarm. Toshiro quickly tweaks the settings on his sensors to focus to the east, the source of the initial readings. He snarls silently andpounds a fist on the dashboard when he realizes what it is.

Damn this swamp! First it takes my chips and now this....

His hands fly across the console once again, and he brings up an image on one of the screens, zooming in a camera focused on the eastern portion of the woods. He then tries to get Jameson's attention and points her toward the screen.

Brodkill Boss isnt hit by a laser. A Seigebreaker, the Boss Seigebreaker, and a random extra brodkill take 20 AP11 damage

I think you got the wrong Angel. Solarius and I had our time in the swamp long ago. Setting it ablaze with our passion. We never thought it would end... The sun shinning over head and its muck covering our forms. Even those two trees... See their notches and stunted branches. They still show signs of our lust long ago. It was paridise. But you... I cannot ever recall.
In the celestial plane Solaris face palms and sighs at Jareb’s startling lapse in memory in confusing the two women, ” Not in this swamp Jareb.”

“Oh frak demons,” Conrad exclaims, “get on the missile launcher Deezy. Don’t be shy about letting them have it." He halted the Mountaineer from the slow speed he was driving using his tail, as his clawed hands brought up the controls for the railgun, intent on shooting the armoured demons“Oh you have got to be kidding me chummers.” He ramps up the railgun as Toshiro gunned the APC forward into the massed demons.

“Well, I can’t shoot them now can I,” he called over the radio as the rail gun rotated up several degrees and opened fire as the demons in the sky.

OOC Comments

tail minor action to stop vehicle, main action to spread the rail gun fire across three of the flying demons

Jameson“What are you doing you lunatic?” Jameson screams at Toshiro as they are taken along for the ride. She wanted to open up with the lasers on the APC at the nearest Brodkil, but Toshiro was hogging the controls.

“We really need to get some more missiles for this thing or some heavier firepower installed.” she shouted, envious of the rail gun as she heard it open fire as she grabbed her rifle ready for action.

These creatures are called "Siege Breakers," and they are elite warriors who wear the demonic equivalent of Triax T-31 Super Trooper armor. Siege Breakers specialize in closing with and taking down "hard targets" in close combat, and their tails allow them extra non-movement actions (similar to grackle tooths). Like all demons, holy weapons do +4 damage against them.

A pack of approximately a dozen velociraptors prowls the woods just due east of Norona, watching the party intently.

Anyone with a Notice of 12 or Higher

You see a thirteenth raptor, better hidden than the others, who appears to be wearing a necklace and bracelets of some sort. Odd... Survival at -2 to know what that might mean. If you already made a Survival check that qualifies, you already know what this is.

Anyone with a Notice of 12 or Higher AND a Successful Survival Roll at -2

You know the dino with the necklace and bracelets is almost certainly a Raptor King: a creature with human-like intelligence, powerful magic, and even psionics. Raptor Kings are known to control the raptor populations of any area they inhabit, and they are cunning foes for any who cross them.

That pink demon! Could it be?

Anyone with a Successful K/Arcana Roll at -4

The levitating pink demon is known as an Aspect (in this case, an Aspect of Lust), and aspects are psionic powerhouses that share many characteristics of mind melters. They tend to enjoy subtle influence over direct action, so something very special must have drawn this one out. Aspects are difficult to kill, as they regenerate extremely quickly and can only be harmed by holy or magical attacks (other attacks can only Shake them), though Cyber-Knights’ psi-blades have been known to affect them just fine. Holy weapons do +4 damage against Aspects.

Kuikku is riding in the back of the Mark IX trying to keep an eye out for the plant that can help with the mysterious disease. Suddenly the vehicle slides to a halt and a whole crowed of demony things block the trail. Grinning with anticipation Kuikku starts to unbuckle his harness when the vehicle suddenly lurches forward. Shooting a look out the front he sees Toshiro trying to ram the monsters. Kuikku shrugs and holds on.

Okay, a couple of things: (1) Everyone in either the Mountaineer or the APC needs to let me know if they are strapped in. If you are in the APC and strapped in and Toshiro manages to hit something with his ramming maneuver, you will take half the amount of damage dice you would take if you were not strapped in. HOWEVER, unstrapping from your restraints will take an action, causing you to incur a multi-action penalty should you want to get out of your seat and do something at any point. (2) John already rolled some damage caused by the APC, but I will roll for how much damage is caused to the APC and for how much is caused to the occupants of the APC in my GM post. Please let me know if you have questions.

Deezy nodded at Conrad and swiveled the seat she was buckled into around to the missile launcher's controls. In the process she got a good look at the troops coming at them, and she whistled.

"Wow, someone really has it in for us! Hey, Kookyku! That pink thing's for you! It's an actual Aspect! Kinda like a demon, only psychic and super badass! Melvin's travelogue said their cyberknight cut one up pretty good though!" She clears her throat. "Um! Before it killed most of their group!"

Hindrances
Overconfident (Major): Never give up...NEVER SURRENDER!
Greedy (Minor): Building something like this is going to take a load of bread to capitalize...where’m I gonna get the money?!
Habit (Minor): Too hyperactive!

The Demons’ Trap
Tarlok watches with anticipation as the party approaches. Humans make poor sport, he thinks, rolling his shoulder in its socket and limbering his neck, but the dragon and the general should at least make this interesting. He glances left and right at his troops and is pleased with what he sees: his fellow brodkil practically hum with battle lust, as is appropriate, and the Siege Breakers remain ever-focused, prepared to run at whichever targets seem the toughest to crack. Tarlok has respect for those who train to be Siege Breakers; it takes a hardened warrior to choose to join an order with such a high casualty rate and such a daunting tactical responsibility.

The humans pass the outside boundary of the ambush, and he prepares to spring it. He knows his mistress well by now, and he gives her the moment or two she needs to gloat. I wonder what the general will think of this?, he thinks as he waits for the psychic veil separating his troops from their prey to come down.

He sees the light shift and lets out a howl of anticipation. His fighters need no command, and they charge immediately, closing with the oblivious foe in front of them…

And then it all goes sideways. The lead vehicle, instead of taking some kind of evasive action, accelerates into his ranks almost faster than he can track! One of his fellow brodkil is immediately plastered across the front of the APC, and he watches as two of his Siege Breakers, two!, dig in as they are are hammered by the impact. Did they survive? Tarlok cannot tell, and this fills him with rage. These mortals will pay…

To Arms!

The Mark IX plunges into the assembled mass of demons, instantly killing one of the brodkil and another Siege Breaker demon. A second Siege Breaker is also struck and is clearly hurt, but he does not fall.

Siege Breaker WC Takes 2 Wounds

The Siege Breaker leader took 4 wounds but managed to soak 2 of them and is initially Shaken (though he makes his roll to unshake).

The APC rocks with the impact of the collision and the front takes some hard dents from the demon shock troops, but the vehicle is no worse for the wear. Those inside take quite a jostling though and, despite her safety harness holding her in place, Sierra cracks her head on a bulkhead and begins bleeding everywhere!

Toshiro

Toshiro takes 8 damage from impacting the first Siege Breaker and 8 from impacting the second.

Jameson

Jameson takes 5 damage from impacting the first Siege Breaker and 8 from the second.

Kuikku

Kuikku takes 6 damage from impacting the first Siege Breaker and 4 from the second.

Sierra is Shaken

Sierra takes 8 damage from impacting the first Siege Breaker and 4 from the second. Given that her fiery armor is not activated (because she is a good teammate and doesn’t want to bake her companions alive, presumably), she is Shaken.

The demons’ counterattack is vicious and immediate. The Siege Breaker who survived the ramming maneuver lays into the Mark IX with his forearm blades. He takes three quick, measured swipes, and the first two barely manage to scratch the armored hull. The third, though, sinks deep into the vehicle, tearing away MDC plating and cutting into the structure beneath.

Mark IX takes 27 MD AP4, Hit and a “Wound”

Toshiro may make a Soak roll via the Ace rules or, if the players prefer, you may narrate that Jameson takes the controls and she makes the rolls. If no Soak roll is made (or if it is unsuccessful), a Driving roll will be needed or you must make an Out of Control roll. A Critical Hit roll will also be needed if the Soak fails. Cooperative rolls between Jameson and Toshiro are allowed, but you must declare who will be primary beforehand.

The three remaining brodkil foot soldiers converge on the Mark IX as well. Though they are nowhere near as elegant in combat as the Siege Breaker, the hulking, 9-foot demons are not to be trifled with, either. The first manages to catch the flat of his vibro-blade on the hull as the Mark IX careens by, but the other two connect solidly with their blades, hammering the APC hard.

One hit does 26 MD AP4, the other does 23 MD AP 4

The first will be a hit and a wound, if not soaked, just as the hit from the Siege Breaker (requiring a driving roll to avoid going out of control, an out of control roll if the driving roll fails, and a roll on the critical hits table). The second will just be a hit, requiring another driving roll or risking an out of control roll.

Meanwhile, in the air, the four jet-packing brodkil focus on Jareb. Two of them wield their laser rifles, firing at him and trying to soften him up. Both laser blasts connect, but neither can penetrate the armor of the fallen general, and he is unfazed.

The other two rush Jareb with vibro-blades in hand, trying to overwhelm his defenses before he has the chance to mount a decent defense. Despite their numerical advantage, Jareb turns their attacks aside with ease, barely even noticing the hulking demons as he searches his mind for some indication of the identity of the demon leading this attack party.

Conrad, seeing the airborne foes, unleahses a barrage of rail-gun fire on the brodkil. The two wielding rifles are cut from the sky, one of them veering off uncontrolled into the nearby vegetation and the other exploding where he hovered as his jetpack took a nasty hit.

Unseen initially by Condrad, the other two Siege Breakers head for the Mountaineer, breaking into a full run, their tentacles lashing about. As they run, the tentacles begin to glow an angry red, and both demons fling what can only be described as globs of red energy at the Mountaineer’s hull. The energy impacts with fierce explosions, rocking the Mountaineer hard and melting MDC armor to slag on contact.

4 Hits on the Mountaineer

Four shoulder-launched infernal energy attacks hit the Mountaineer, causing the following effects:

The first impacts for 12 MD AP 15. This meets the Mountaineer’s Toughness, but as it is not in motion, no out of control roll is required. No immediate effect.

The second impacts for 21 MD AP 15, which is enough for a hit and two “wounds”. If not soaked, that will require two rolls on the “critical hits” table.

The third impacts for 29 MD AP 15, which is enough for a hit and four “wounds.” If not soaked, that will require four rolls on the “critical hits” table and will wreck the vehicle.

The fourth impacts for 24 MD AP 15, which is enough for a hit and three “wounds.” If not soaked, that will require three rolls on the “critical hits” table.

The eyes of the Aspect glow, and an unseen force reaches out to pluck the brodkil leader off the ground. Tarlok, unfazed, lines up a shot with his plasma ejector at the face of the spiny, black dragon in front of him, and squeezes the trigger. He knows fire is not the best way to fight any dragon, but one works with what one has on hand.

Tyraxas is Hit for 24 MD Fire Damage

Tyraxas is barely likely to notice the attack, frankly, except that it is bright.

”Coming to you, beast!” he cries, and his mistress picks him up and speeds him at Tyraxas, pushing him in close to the dragon’s chest where Tarlok drives with his chainsword.

Tarlok hits for 40 MD AP 2

Tarlok scores a hit with two wounds on Tyraxas, unless Tyraxas Soaks. It cost Tarlok both his Bennies to pull that off.

Finally, the pink-skinned demon turns to Jareb, her motions both graceful and almost too fast to track. ”Well, lover? What have you to say for yourself, hmm? I have long awaited the look on your face when I…” she trails off, fixated on Jareb’s face, on the expression he’s making…

Her eyes grow wide with crazed anger of a woman scorned. “You don’t even remember me, you callus bastard?! I gave you the best 13 years of your life. Our passion touched every corner of this swamp, we spread our darkness together in ways unimagined by the mortals you now travel. You don’t even remember me!!! Bring me the baby now!”

About this time Jareb realizes two things: his celestial and demonic allies are either laughing or too horrified to be much of any use this scene, and Gift is no longer safety secured in his backpack, but instead in his hand…

Benny for Jareb

Thanks to Jon for writing up the last couple of paragraphs, here, and for coming up with the idea for his crit fail. Per the house rules, he gets a Benny.

Once the vehicle stops bouncing Kuikku looks at the results. One red thing and one black thing down, one black thing knocked around. I can work with that. He clears his harness, activates his Cyber-armor and cloak but waits until he finishes rolling out out of the vehicle to activate his Psy-sword. Just as he does a large blade swings through the seat he just left. He looks at one of the black critters and states "You missed, ugly." Then he looks up at the pretty pink thing and yells ”Hey, toots! You going to just fly around up there talking or are you going to come down here and fight? I know you are afraid I will kill you.”

Jareb rolled to one side leaving his paramour blistfully sleeping. The air here was clean and less humid. Its like the swamp had created it special for them. He washes his face in the stream. The water was fresh and relaxing.

From behind him a bulbous figure in dark armor gruffly spoke slightly surprising the 13th general of the celtial armies, How fairs my mistress, did you please her Angel?”

The lesser demon gowls slightly. To its side a shinnning archaeic blade seems to yearn for battle. ” Yes Angel for the thousdenth time. It is Tarlock. Every day, I come to check on my mistress, and each day I must remind you of my name. For 13 years Jareb...”

Jareb’s eyes go a bit wide... He whispers, ”Thirteen years?”

Tarlock chortles, ” My mistress’ slave mind and body, not even worthy of such a name. You are not worthy to stand by her side.” The large brodkill holds up the shinning blade for Jareb to take, ” I would give anything and everything even the sword of ST. Cathrine herself to be in your place Angel.”

Jareb tosses on his tunic and takes off into the air. He waves his new shiney blade at Tarlock. ” Thanks for the Blade Tarlock, tell... Um... Tell... Ah just tell your mistress thanks and feel free to jump right in.”Its a shame I had to leave my bow, but this sword is wicked. St. Cathrines Blade he called it. Best get home, wow 13 years feels like just yesterday. The demon scowls mercilessly at Jareb.

Jareb clutches gift like a football in his off hand. He smiles at the baby reasuringly. I will never give you up.He calls forth his angel might willing himself to dodge range attacks and weild his blade like its maker would. His wings spread wide and his angelic form is truely revealed.
He then twirls mid air, thrusts, glides two feet back and then lunges expertly at one of the brodkill with his silvered Blade of St. Cathrine hoping to find the right mark. Jareb then slides his blade out and if possible flaps his wings so that the other brodkill he is engaged with can be used to intercept laser blasts from his other foes.
His voice hits the coms. Steady and unflinching, ” Steady 32nd, these lesser demons will test our mettle and feel our wraith in due time. Heavy hitters focus on the seige breakers. Their dark armor is as foul as it is hard. Any allies you we can summon will surely give us the edge against their superior numbers. Don’t be fooled by that aspect, I am not sure who she is, but if she is with the demons try to only hit her with righteous fury.”

Tyraxas' heartbeat quickens for a moment at the number and ferocity of foes arrayed before him. Then, in an instant, he remembers he is a dragon, and the fright fades. But not before a different thrill courses through his body. The demon temptress awakens something in him, albeit briefly. This, too, fades, as a flash of light and pleasant heat washes over him. The plasma drips from him, having done little more than jolted him out of his dazed state. "What...did you shoot FIRE at me? HA!" He scoffs loudly, his roar resonating through the swamp.
He responds to the challenge of Tarlok with his own threat. "Coming to me? COME THEN! I will show you how TRUE fire burns!" But before he can spit his deadly inferno at the brodkil leader, the brute slams a chainsword into his chest. While a palatable strike, the sword simply glances off the formidable armor of the great horned dragon. "You dare strike me?! Let the flame take you! The carrion will pick the charred remains!" Tyraxas speeds himself magically, then spits a deadly accurate bolt of flame that blasts the brodkil leader full in the back, searing skin and cybernetics indiscriminately. "See now, I can smell your burning flesh. The flame of Tyraxas is unquenchable! Your mistress sent you to your fiery doom, vermin!" He looks around for the next victim of his flaming rage.

Toshiro doesn't blink when the first brodkil splats against the front of the Mark IX. He does reach up and turn on the windshield wipers and fluid to wash away the blood even as he pulls the E-brake, all in a single motion, cause the APC to slide to the side toward a couple more of the demons. Then suddenly, Toshiro is jolted to the side as the APC smacks up against not one, but two seigebreakers who stepped into its path in an attempt to crush through its hardened armor platting.

Quick hands on the steering will stop the APC from completely folding around the seigebreakers. Instead, The APC speeds toward a pack of brodkil waiting with vibroblades at the ready. A series of swings strike the hull of the vehicle, causing various degrees of damage. One hit in particular strikes one of the wheel hubs, causing the APC to skid wildly into the forest.

Almost miraculously Toshiro dodges tree after to tree as he tries to bring the vehicle to a stop. He almost feels in control when the final obstacle, a boulder the size of Tyraxes comes into view.

Aw shit... Toshiro thinks as he drops his hands from the wheel in dismay, knowing there is no avoiding this impact.

The APC slams against the Boulder with a resounding CRUNCH, sending a crack straight up the boulder. The engine sputters and dies and Toshiro checks the controls for any time of responsiveness. His checks are in vain. The APC is completely trashed.

"Hold on," Conrad shouts at Deezy as he attempts to hurriedly weave the stationary vehicle out of the way
His efforts managed to lessen the impacts, but luck was not with them today.

The first hit they barely noticed, but the second buffeted the vehicle as the third struck right where the engine was (or had been beforehand). The final shot was icing on the cake as the ATV was knocked over like a bowling pin onto its side.

OOC Comments

Four shoulder-launched infernal energy attacks hit the Mountaineer, causing the following effects:
•The first impacts for 12 MD AP 15. This meets the Mountaineer’s Toughness, but as it is not in motion, no out of control roll is required. No immediate effect.
•The second impacts for 21 MD AP 15, which is enough for a hit and two “wounds”. If not soaked, that will require two rolls on the “critical hits” table.
•The third impacts for 29 MD AP 15, which is enough for a hit and four “wounds.” If not soaked, that will require four rolls on the “critical hits” table and will wreck the vehicle.
•The fourth impacts for 24 MD AP 15, which is enough for a hit and three “wounds.” If not soaked, that will require three rolls on the “critical hits” table.

3 bennies it is then - that's me tapped for the quarter

ignoring shot 1

Soak 2 1d8 = 4: 4 1d6 = 5: 5

Soak 3 1d8 = 4: 4 1d6 = 1: 1

Soak 4 1d8 = 6: 6 1d6 = 5: 5

Soaked three wounds

Critical hit table is meant for robots not vehicles. Vehicles get technical difficulties on a critical fail, but doesn't matter as the ATV is totalled.
Are any of the weapon systems usable despite the fact the ATV isn't going anywhere?

Jareb lobs off the head of one of the attacking brodkil, leaving him engaged with only a single remaining foe.

-------------------------------

The Aspect's eyes grow wide at the site of Kuikku, his armor shining in the light cast from his psi-sword, standing unscathed and surrounded by wreckage and fury. Her voice comes out just a little higher than it had been, and she screams to her minions on the ground, "Kill the Cyber-Knight! Keep him away from me!"

Aspect Fails Intimidation Check

Kuikku is at +2 to his next action against the Aspect this combat. He also forced her to burn a Benny in an unsuccessful attempt to resist; well done!

--------------------------------

Meanwhile, the Mark IX skids away from Kuikku and the two blade-wielding brodkil.

8 on Out of Control Table: Skid

It skids 4" but suffers no additional negative mechanical effect.

--------------------------------

He's well-roasted, but Tarlok has seen fire before, and Tyraxas' fire is no worse than others he has faced in the past...

Pursuit wrote:The Aspect's eyes grow wide at the site of Kuikku, his armor shining in the light cast from his psi-sword, standing unscathed and surrounded by wreckage and fury. Her voice comes out just a little higher than it had been, and she screams to her minions on the ground, "Kill the Cyber-Knight! Keep him away from me!"

Aspect Fails Intimidation Check

Kuikku is at +2 to his next action against the Aspect this combat. He also forced her to burn a Benny in an unsuccessful attempt to resist; well done!

Kuikku moves his gaze from the pretty pink thing to the two red things next to him. "Yea, let's play. Then I can get to the real target."

The Mountaineer rocks with the impact of the Siege Breakers’ attacks, and the chassis and control systems bear the brunt of the assault.

Critical Hits: 8, 8, 5, and 6; Conrad Gets a Benny Back

Three chassis hits (no mechanical effect) and a hit to the control system (which is moot, given that the whole thing will need repaired). Conrad gets a benny back because the last hit he tried to Soak was superfluous: the vehicle was already wrecked,

Deezy is shaken, but not stirred by the cataclysmic crash! Woozily she looks around, but then sees that the weapons console still has a little power in it. Tools extend from the arm of her armor, the Triax mechanic suit coming in handy right now! Sparks flare as she quickly fixes the connections between the controls and the targeting system. It wouldn't be much, but it might be enough for one salvo...

The tech-mage then grabbed what was left of the controls and fought them to bring the aim around. Good thing they were so close. Bad thing everything was all clobbered up!

"Fire in the hole," she said, and closed her eyes as she pressed the firing switch...

Hindrances
Overconfident (Major): Never give up...NEVER SURRENDER!
Greedy (Minor): Building something like this is going to take a load of bread to capitalize...where’m I gonna get the money?!
Habit (Minor): Too hyperactive!

Conrad loomed over Sierra, blocking out the sun. “What my tail and I get up to…!”

Sierra’s eyes opened wide and she held up her hands. “Whoa! Sore spot! I get it!” she said. “Someone really needs to get laid!”

She batted at her ear as something flicked it, and she turned to look. Her other ear got flicked, and she spun around, her red hair lifting. She stared at Conrad’s tail as it waved to her, and then laughed when Conrad laughed.

“It’s not a sexual organ Sierra. Those are elsewhere on my person, chummer.” Conrad’s demeanour completely changed as he gave her a toothy grin. “Though just a word to the wise, Chummers, if you ever have to do any doctoring on me, those aren’t my knees caps.”

Sierra blinked and stared down at Conrad’s knees, and then her eyes widened. “Oh, wow! What a weird place! I mean, not protected at all! Someone could just come along and kick them!”

Sierra climbed into the Mark IX and buckled in place, leaning back as they traveled. She drifted off a little, half in and half out. It was so hot and humid.

Several miles out, the tiny hairs on the back of Sierra’s neck prickled, and she sat up warily. “Something’s wrong…”

Then the light up ahead shimmers, and forms appear on the path ahead.

Survival 2 Fail

Survival 1d4 = 1: 1
Wild 1d6 = 2: 2

“What the hell are those things?” Sierra exclaimed. She’d never seen anything like the red-skinned, scarred, ugly things blocking their path.

They weren’t the only things there. There were some smaller purple-black armored things with tentacles.

“Man, I really need to stop reading Japanese porn…” Sierra murmured.

And then a hooded figure made herself known. Sierra stared, her mouth hanging open. She wiped at a bit of drool. “God damn! Who is that?”

Lust Table 10 - Overwhelmed by Desire: The character immediately moves his full Pace plus running die towards the focus of his lust and is Shaken.

1d12 = 10: 10

Unshake 15

Spirit 1d8 = 8: 8
Ace 1d8+8 = 15: 7
Wild 1d6 = 2: 2

Sierra could only stare at the beauty before her. She barely registered being tossed painfully against her restraints as Toshiro rammed into several of the demons. Her head impacted the side, but she barely felt the warm blood flowing down her face. She had eyes only for the beautiful pink woman!

Sierra somehow managed to hit the release on her restraints and stumbled out of the Mark IX. Her eyes locked with the pink woman. She ignored the demons surrounding the vehicle, her vision tunneled on the woman.

Sierra started to run toward the woman, peeling off her shirt, baring her chest as her wings flared to life and she flew up toward the beautiful creature.

Parley - "All characters cease fighting and listen to the hero speak for at least 30 seconds. Others may only take defensive actions during this time. This has no effect on beasts and other creatures that cannot understand the speaker."

Seeing his compatriots charge, literally, into battle against the demonic foes makes Norona pleased. He begins to rally the forces of light to assist, but something unsettles him. The nearby raptors lurking in the trees seem put off. He suspects this has something to do with the sudden loss of the blessing from the swamp's genius loci . Whether the raptors are there to fight the demons or the 32nd, the idea of even a single one of them falling to unnatural causes wrenches his heart.

Swinging his hovercycle around, the scout eschews combat and instead centres his attention on the raptor king.

"Hail mighty warrior. I fear we have brought these demons to your lands inadvertently. Please allows us to remove them before facing your justice for our transgressions."

Hopefully, his plea buys the group a little time and avoids the necessary deaths of denizens of the swamps.

Conditions: It’s hot, and getting hotter with bursts of dragon fire and demon-wrought explosions! It’s around 100 degrees and no ley line is nearby.

The Battle Rages

Tarlok is proud of his warriors. Despite the mortals’ admittedly fierce counterattack, his troops are performing admirably, for the most part.

Out of the corner of his eye, he watches as one of the Siege Breakers wanders in front of the missile launcher of the wrecked Mountaineer. Before he can shout a reprimand, the launcher spits out a missile at close range, connecting with the Siege Breaker square in the chest and sending him backward… and then in all directions as the missile explodes.

“Come on, you rabbits! Kill them or I feed you to the Mistress’s hounds when this is all over!” Tarlok bellows, and then he has no more time to think about how his men are doing because the dragon is before him.

Rabbits

It is considered a high insult to refer to a demon as a cute, cuddly creature. Really gets them riled up. Sort of the demonic version of a human trying to motivate his followers by calling them “mangy dogs” or something of the sort.

Vs. Kuikku:
Feeding off of their commander’s battle lust, the three brodkil surrounding the downed Mark IX turn their attention to Kuikku, eager to follow their mistress’s directive and kill the Cyber-Knight. As one, the three rush Kuikku, vibro-blades humming as they slice the air… and connect with nothing.

Kuikku is a blur, dancing between thrusts and swings almost as if his attackers were standing still and leaving them entirely flat-footed.

Brodkil at -2 Parry, Kuikku gets a Benny

The brodkil that Jameson shot made his Spirit roll to unshake, and they were at +6 to their Fighting rolls this round thanks to the Joker, their gang up bonus and them completely selling out with Wild Attacks… but Kuikku’s combination of Edges, deflection, and Cyberkinetic Combat made ‘em all miss. Improved Combat Sense was crucial, here. Kuikku also gets a Benny for his taunt of the Aspect last round, which has put him front and center this round.

Seeing the brodkil stumble all over themselves, the Siege Breaker takes a few steps back and rushes Kuikku, covering the last several feet between them in a leap and putting a freight train’s worth of momentum behind his onslaught… which manages only to catch Kuikku with a glancing blow. The creature’s long vibro-blade slashes across Kuikku’s midsection but fails to bite down, doing middling damage barely worth the Cyber-Knight’s notice.

Kuikku Struck for 15 MD AP 4, Is Not Even Shaken

This wild card used his last Benny just to be able to connect and I used a GM Benny to reroll damage and this was still the best result. Kuikku is coming out of this combat smelling like roses.

Vs. Tyraxas:
Elsewhere on the ground, the remaining Siege Breaker stays well clear of the downed Mountaineer’s weapons, circling around to its underbelly instead. With the two vehicles down, the only hard target left is the dragon, and the Siege Breaker’s tentacles begin whipping around and glowing, flinging two more globs of infernal fire, this time at Tyraxas!

The first attack impacts the mighty dragon’s wing and explodes in a mighty roar, but Tyraxas seems barely to notice. The second, however, strikes him in his gut, burning bright and sticking to his scales, and the Siege Breaker nods in satisfaction… until the dragon just keeps on flying.

Tyraxas is Hit for Enough to be Shaken

That second shot hit for 45 MD with AP 15, but Tyraxas takes half-damage from fire attacks so he only has to deal with 23 MD with AP 15, which isn’t quite enough to cause a wound.

The armored demon looks left and then right, as if gauging distance, backs up several steps and then takes off at a run, right at the downed Mountaineer! He leaps up at the last second onto the side of the vehicle (which is now pointing up at the sky), and then springs off of that into the air on an arc toward the dragon! Up, up, up he goes, his forearm blades reaching out to Tyraxas and glinting along their deadly edges in the afternoon sun.

Unfortunately for him, he misses Tyraxas by several yards and instead crashes back down to earth, taking several tree branches (and one whole tree) with him. Amazingly, he lands on his feet none the worse for the attempt.

Meanwhile, Tarlok takes another swing at the dragon with his chain-sword, this time determined to take off Tyraxas’ head! The wicked blade connects in a vicious strike… and is unable to find purchase on Tyraxas’ armored scales. It may have scratched an itch, though!

Tyraxas takes 21 MD AP 4

Dragons are ridiculous. That cost me a GM Benny, too!

Vs. Jareb:
Meanwhile, in the air, the final remaining brodkil in flight twists and attempts to bring his weapon to bear against Jareb. With surprising skill (especially given how his comrades faired), the airborne demon slips the blade past Jareb’s guard and sinks it into his side, cutting deep into the fallen angel’s flesh!

Jareb takes 27 MD AP 4, a hit with 3 wounds

He aced his fighting roll and the Joker was just enough to get him a raise. GM benny burnt.

Vs. Everybody!
The Aspect floats where she began, a wicked glint in her eye as she considers Sierra. ”Well thank you, darling. As you can see, I need you quite desperately right now, lest I come to unjust harm.”

For Sierra: Make a Spirit roll w/ TN of 12 vs. Greater Illusion

Note: Sierra is no longer Shaken from the effects of the Lust table; that wears off after one round, so she will begin coming to her senses. If she fails her Spirit roll, however, she sees the members of her party level weapons at the Aspect and begin firing indiscriminately, not caring that Sierra is in the way. As rail gun and rifle fire tear through Sierra, she hears Norona say, “It is for the best; Sierra was never really one of us to begin with, was she?” Depending on the result of her Spirit roll, Sierra may be Shaken, Wounded, or she may be just fine and see things how they actually are.

Leveling her gaze at the rest of the clearing, the Aspect gives a “tisk-tisk” and waves her arm.

If you fail, you feel as though the world around you is speeding up as your brain processes are slowed. Movement becomes an action (causing a multi-action penalty to move and act in the same round), your Pace is reduced by half, your Parry is reduced by 2 and ranged attacks gain +2 against you, and all Agility and linked skill rolls (including Fighting and Shooting) suffer a -2. If she succeeds with a raise against you, you must also redraw any initiative card of 10 or higher (except Jokers).

Meanwhile:
The Raptor King cocks its head at Norona, a curious look crossing its face. ”You are ignorant of where you stand, Outsider,” the creature responds.”You are ignorant of this land, its purpose, and yours. Better for you if you had stayed in your home world than come here, and better for you all to have left this swamp alone. I know not why it would put so much trust in you, but the genius loci here has never been the brightest of spirits.”

Defense

The raptor king and his followers all crouch a bit, flicking their tails and looking ready to run. They all take the “Defend” maneuver.

Initiative:

Okay, you guys are up! You may post in any order you choose, and I will do my best to jump in with bad guy rolls (for Soaks, etc.) as needed. For reference, the initiative draws are in the OOC tag below. The bad-guy extras pulled a Joker, so the deck will re-set for next round (if there is one). For posting economy, I am posting all of the bad guys together, which is why they all went first.

Tyraxas laughs off the fire again. "Fools, do you not learn you cannot burn the mighty Tyraxas?!" He barely notices the strike of the sword. But the demon witch's foul charm takes a firm hold of him, and he slows drastically. "Curse ... you ... wen ... ch! What ... have ... you ... done?" His movement weighs heavily on him. He tries his best to spew fire at the enemies in front of him, but manages only a halfhearted gout of fire. Likewise, his tail spins furiously...in slow motion. He manages to miss everyone he aimed at. "I will ... rend ... you ... in ... two! Just ... hold ... still!"

Legend tells of a pacifier in the hands of an infant so pure and true.
That when the blade of a brodkill nearly struck true,
The angellic being that would have been decapitated,
Was instead saved for this is surely true.
In the hands of an atlantean babe frozen to be young,
Her brilliant bright blue pacifier had its own fun.
With arm reaching high and pacifier lord over the sky,
It intercepted the death blow while the two creatures high in the sky fly.
Mr. Wiggles it was called and a smile it made,
When that day it was called upon for the great save.
Brodkill it was not today!

She felt the wave of something wash over her and then her reactions suddenly slow drastically. God she hated magic. At least Conrad didn't use it unlike the others.

Conrad
notice 1d8 = 6: 6 1d6 = 5: 5

"Frak it," Conrad rails, "not putting up with this dren. They wreck my baby, I;m going to wreck them." his tail snaked out, grabbing the hill flattener as he put his weight into the buckled side door, making it pop open and allowing him to stick his head out of the top and look around"Kuikku is surrounded, Tyraxas looks hurt, Jareb is duelling in the air and ... what the frak is Sierra doing?"

Sierra turned to see the others aiming weapons at her and the Aspect. “Wait!” Sierra exclaimed, but it was too late as rail gun fire tore through her.

“It is for the best; Sierra was never really one of us to begin with, was she?” Norona said.

“What…?” Sierra asked, blinking tears as the pain wracked her. And then everything...wavered. Things weren’t synching up right, and the pain started to fade as the images of her friends became translucent, and then faded.

“What the hell? Oh, you bitch! What did you do to me?” Sierra demanded, spinning around on the pink demon. Sure, she was still hot as hell, and Sierra would probably fuck her in a second, but damn, you don’t go messing with a person’s head!

Flames ignited around Sierra’s body, masking her naked torso a bit. “How about a kiss, lover!” Sierra leapt at the demoness to embrace her.

As the various demons close in Kuikku grins. This may almost be a worthy fight. As he finishes dodging the attacks he feels the magic from the pretty pink one close in. But he knows his will is stronger than her's and shrugs it off.

As he continues to dance in and out of the demons Kuikku swings at one. Though his blade only just clears the demon's defenses it does cut deep. Stepping through the attack he pauses and turns to the rest.

Deezy wiggled free of the ATV through a busted-out window when she realized no other enemies were going to be kind enough to stray in front of the missile launcher, and emerged into what one might generously refer to as a 'target rich environment.' You had a demon lobbing spells around, a bunch of monsters ineffectually attacking a cyberknight, an angel and a flying monster clashing overhead, a dragon, a few soldiers...

There were so many things to TEST here, it was hard to decide where to start!

Well, first things first. With practiced speed, Deezy grabbed a few items off her harness and twisted them together. Since getting that workshop going, she'd been able to machine some of her device parts into modular sort of moldings that could easily be attached and disconnected again. Like Legos, only with explosives!

The Manabomb launcher constructed, she considered the best targets. The demon's Slow spell hadn't really hit TOO hard, she reckoned. Maybe it'd be better to free up Kukiku or Jareb so they could actually go after the lust demon? Yeah.

And given the number of guys on Kooky, it seemed like Jareb had the best odds.

Deezy lifted the Omniblaster and adjusted some controls. The weapon rattled, and changed configuration; sprouting eight little jointed arms around its barrel as the aperture widened to reveal a pulsing source of light within it. Electricity arced off the tips of those little arms, into the barrel, and an ominous hum cycled up. She hauled the thing around to point it skyward at the flying demon Jareb was up against as a blazing lance of electricty erupted from the Omniblaster like a thunderbolt in reverse!

Hindrances
Overconfident (Major): Never give up...NEVER SURRENDER!
Greedy (Minor): Building something like this is going to take a load of bread to capitalize...where’m I gonna get the money?!
Habit (Minor): Too hyperactive!

Indeed Deezy, indeed... To kill a woman I had been ensorcelled by for 14 years... A chance to right a wrong... sheild your eyes Gift this may not be pleasent.”Understood Deezy, While my celestial and hellish allies have forsaken me... There is one, though I am loathe to call upon him for anything. Asnir The God of War!! If this goes ill he may strike us instead... Asnir I summon thee to my blade!”
Jareb flies right at the Lust Demon and Serria while summoning a divine presence into the sword of St. Cathrine. The blade of the Saint glows orange as it is filled with the power of a divine god named Asnir. The time is now to strike, swift and with righteous fury!
The heat from the burster scorches the Angel’s wings and he cups his baby charge like a foot ball protecting her as best he can. His blade lashes out with wild abandon peircing smoke and flame hopefully hitting its target true... Indeed the blade finds it mark the Aspect of Lust a former consort of Jareb the 13th general of the celestial armies. Asnir’s thunder rumbles through the blade into the Apect itself to little effect! But the blade itself is still sharp and full of magical holy energy perhaps with Jareb’s strength it may yet ring true.

Damage Dice: 1d10 = 10: 10 Ace 1d10 = 9: 9 2d8 = 10: 2, 8 Ace 1d8 = 7: 7 +4 MD AP4 , Holy and magic
Wraith die: 1d6 = 2: 2
Fighting die: 1d12 +2 improved trademark weapon, +2 wild attack, +1 gangup with Sierra 1d12+5 = 9: 4 Wild 1d6+5 = 11: 6 Ace 1d6 = 3: 3
Faith Roll: using his extra action for Faith 1d10 = 2: 2 Wild 1d6 = 4: 4Wrath Smight: As furious as it is terrible Jareb can still call upon the all mighty to come forth blessing his and those weapon around him. The foe struck with such a weapon sometimes suffers as if the hand of God came crashing down. Those allied and near with and too the user of such a weapon see their maker and tremble with fear.Trappings:Divine wroth. The almighty sometimes just guides your weapon to strike with the fury and thunder of a cataclysmic event: roll 1d6 and on a 6 the foe you struck is ended, or at the very least add +2 damage. If that d6 rolls a 1 the weirder must make a spirit roll to avoid being shaken from the energies of the divine maker coursing through the weapon.

The Aspect shrieks with rage as Sierra’s fires lick her and Jareb runs her through. She slides off of Jareb’s blade and falls unceremoniously to the ground, freeing the party from the effects of her influence (i.e., no more slow) and dropping Tarlok as well.

Jareb catches the demon before she hits the ground. He looks at her soft face in wonder clearly struck by her restful beauty.” I know thee now... Such soft beauty resting eternally, how could I have forgotten such a face is beyond me. What was it I said the night before we departed bitter company? I would let no harm come to thee. I am sorry for not remembering you until now. I am truly sorry... In another life we would be together.”
Jareb gently lays her down looking at Sierra with a face full of grief.

Toshiro wastes no time as soon as it is clear that the APC will not be providing any further use during this fight. He quickly releases his harness and grabs his shotgun out of his seat-side holster as he reaches up to pull himself out of the vehicle.

It's then that he feel a wave of magical energy brush past him. In the back of his mind, his sensors register that Tyraxes' movement speed as slowed significantly.

Hmph...whatever that damn mystic firefly did must have made me even more resistant to magic. Maybe this swamp isn't the worst place on the planet...

Toshiro pulls hard, launching himself out of the vehicle. Even before both feet hit the ground, he squeezes off a quick shot from the hip at one of the remaining brodkil.

Ever the soldier, as soon as Toshiro's feet hit the ground, he breaks for the nearest cover and positions himself so that it is between him and the brodkil leader. When he gets to cover, he looks back at the brodkil he had targeted. For a split second, his composure drops along with is jaw as sees, much to his amazement, the brodkil drop to the ground with a hole the size of a softball in his chest.

Damn...Somewhat better have seen that!

Toshiro resists the slow with a 13, and downs a brodkil with 28 AP 2 damage (assuming the TN is a 4 otherwise he misses)

Jareb’s sword slides into the demon lady Sierra was entangled with and the flaming redhead let out a whoop. As Jareb put the woman down on the ground, Sierra moved over and straddled her face, teabagging her. Of course, her flaming aura seared off the lovely demon’s features.

With the Raptor King temporarily on the defensive, Norona takes a split second to consider his words. It is true that there is much he doesn't understand, but killing him for ignorance sake seems a little dramatic. Perhaps, even the mighty lizard king is missing some information as well.

"You say there is much we do not understand, in death we will never know it. Perhaps this is your chance to prove to the genus loci that you are the superior being in these lands. If you can demonstrate it's poor choice but enlightening us, truly it will have to recognize your authority."

Risking a moment to look at the battle, Norona remains stoic but does not like leaving his allies on their own to face forces of darkness.

Hindrances
Overconfident (Major): Never give up...NEVER SURRENDER!
Greedy (Minor): Building something like this is going to take a load of bread to capitalize...where’m I gonna get the money?!
Habit (Minor): Too hyperactive!

Conditions: The trees near Tyraxas and those near Sierra are burning, but they’re still small fires at this point. The temperature is above 100 degrees fahrenheit and no ley line is nearby.

Chaos!
Tarlok hits the ground hard with a grunt. Salvation! The Mistress is down! He leaps to his feet, brandishing his chain-sword at the dragon while simultaneously leveling his plasma rifle at the arrayed ground forces of the enemy. This is not how this was supposed to go!

”Retreat! Pit-Wurm Maneuver!” be bellows, breaking for the mistress and squeezing off shots from his plasma ejector at the general, exposing his back to the dragon in his haste. The girl next to the general, the one surrounded by fire and desecrating the Mistress, her features look somehow familiar to him. As if he should know her from somewhere…

No sooner does Tarlok finish his order, than four brodkil, unenhanced by cybernetics, fade into view a few feet from the Mistress with vibro-swords unsheathed. Four more appear behind the Mountaineer, moving swiftly toward Deezy and Conrad, snarling.

Tarlok’s sole remaining Siege Breaker appears none the worse for wear, and begins launching the infernal flame with its tentacles seemingly at random, but Tarlok knows better; its firing pattern is specifically designed to slow the enemy and open a path toward the mistress. They all know their lives are meaningless if they cannot free her from the clutches of the enemy…

Meanwhile, the Raptor King begins to look even more agitated. ”Recognize my authority? This swamp? As if I needed such a thing? Truly, outsider, you know not of what you speak.” Norona sees the demon fires beginning to catch in the trees reflected in the dinosaur warrior’s eyes, and it is an unsettling site.

The Raptor King gives a command to his followers, something between a chirp and a growl, and they begin to melt back into the woods. ”Choose your path carefully, outsider. These bumbling fools are far from the worst you will face if you continue on.” The Raptor King turns to go and, almost as an afterthought, shouts over his shoulder, ”Though I do so hope you continue to play the fool. I have not eaten one of your kind in quite some time.”

Quick! It’s Combat!
The enemy is in retreat, but Tarlok has some tricks up his sleeve! He’s doing everything he can to get the fallen Aspect and get out of dodge, and it’s up to you to stop him!

The remainder of the scene will be handled as a quick combat, and you may post in any order. Describe how your character responds to the appearance of additional foes, or how he or she tries to slow or stop Tarlok from saving his mistress. Do NOT narrate your character killing Tarlok (though wounding him is just fine) unless and until the team has gathered the requisite number of successes and I give you the okay.

The team will need 9 successes to prevent the Aspect’s escape, and the scene modifier will be -4.

There are currently 11 brodkil on the ground, 3 with cybernetics and 8 without, along with the Siege Breaker and Tarlok. The Aspect lies at Jareb's feet, her body already healing from the wound he inflicted and from Sierra's flame.

Benny to Jareb

A Benny to Jareb for Jon's advice on this. Thanks!

Savage Quick Combat

Steps: the following is the Order of Operations for a Quick Combat.

Scene Modifier: -4

Player Character Options (Resources Spent)

Quick Combat Roll

Describe outcome (Narrative)

1. Scene Modifier (if any): -4

2. Player Character Options: this will allow you the Player Character to have more control over the results of Quick Combat, Mass Combat or Quick Battle without having to use Bennies. You may use Bennies as normal.

Resources Spent: As a default your character spends 4 Power Points or 8 rounds of ammunition. Before rolling declare if you would like to have your character risk more or expend more resources for a better chance of success. Note: you must have the resources to spend them.

-2: Conserve your energy - Believing it may be an easy battle you accept -2 to your roll in exchange for spending 1/2 (rounded down) the resources. However, your character receives a free soak roll versus any wounds taken from failure.

+0: In The Fight - Wanting to stay on top of things you fight like a professional. You roll without an additional modifier for the default resource cost.

+2: Serious Business - You do not play around and do what you have to in order to ensure victory, even when it requires risking yourself. You may double the resources spent, or accept 1 Fatigue or 1 Wound to gain a bonus of +2 to this roll.

+4: No Matter The Cost - When Battle comes you go all in, winning no matter the personal cost. You may triple the resources spent, or accept 2 Fatigue or 2 Wounds to gain a bonus of +4 to this roll.

3. Quick Combat Roll:

Critical Failure (-1): The hero is stopped by overwhelming numbers, an unfortunate tactical development, or bad fortune. He suffers 2 wounds. In addition he accidentally inhibits another players efforts reducing the number of successes for the group by 1. (The Hero may spend a Bennie as usual to make a Soak roll if desired.)

Failure (+0): The hero is stopped by overwhelming numbers, an unfortunate tactical development, or bad fortune. He suffers 1 Wound (The Hero may spend a Bennie as usual to make a Soak roll if desired.)

Success (+1): The hero fights well and adds +1 to success to his team’s efforts. He adds 1 success to his side’s battle. Though the dangers of the battle put him at risk of receiving a serious wound. Your hero must make a Vigor roll (no penalties), Failure he suffers a wound, on success he suffers no wound.

Raise (+2): The hero wreaks havoc, slaying enemy leaders and destroying important assets. He adds 2 successes to his side’s battle. Escaping the dangers of battle he finds himself uninjured. In addition you gain a Benny

Two or More Raises (+3): The warrior covers himself in glory! Many foes fall before him and his success inspires his allies to fight like demons. His efforts add +3 (or more) to his side’s successes and he emerges from the fight unscathed. The character may also reduce another player's Critical Failure result to a normal failure if he narrates how he interfered. In addition you gain a Benny, or things lined up well for you, your character was able to conserve resources more than expected, as a result regain half of the resources spent for this roll, if you don't take the bennie.

4. Narrative: You then do your best to narrate the result of your roll to make your character seem as awesome as possible.

Tyraxas feels the burst as he returns to full speed; which is to say, doubletime, as his quickness magic is still active. He makes a pitched dive towards the remaining enemies. Hearing Jareb's encouragement, he tries a manuever he and Jareb developed. He does his best to facilitate the destruction of the remaining enemies by sapping their Vigor with a well-timed spell. Finally, he lands at full force, crushing several brodkil beneath his clawed hands and feet. He shouts to Jareb. "The Dragon Maneuver was effective, and the rest of our foes are weakened. Finish them! There is no quarter for these enemies!" He nods in Toshiro's direction, signifying a lesson learned.

Hindrances
Overconfident (Major): Never give up...NEVER SURRENDER!
Greedy (Minor): Building something like this is going to take a load of bread to capitalize...where’m I gonna get the money?!
Habit (Minor): Too hyperactive!

Pursuit wrote:”Retreat! Pit-Wurm Maneuver!” be bellows, breaking for the mistress and squeezing off shots from his plasma ejector at the general, exposing his back to the dragon in his haste.

Kuikku yells. ”Stop them! If she lives we may be able to question her! We may even have a few questions for her lieutenant.” With that he takes his Tachi in both hands and, without releasing the hilt pulls his hands apart. With a slightly smaller katana now in each hand he says a couple of phrases in Japanese. ”Watashi no ha de fushō shita, watashi no tsuyo-sa ni yotte ochiru.” With that he starts moving with a deadly grace. Each step is matched with a swing of one blade or the other, sometimes both. For the last several yards he is moving step by step next to Tarlok, one blade striking at him, the other striking brodkil to clear the path. ”Everyone knows evil will lose in the end. Surrender and we will go easy on you.”

She heals! Jareb touches the face of the aspect softly, ” I remember you... What we had long ago was not love, but lust... Unbridled passion. But it was not love, and I would wish for us to experience that. If you feel like me I will meet you by the ridge yonder, tomorrow at 10am. I cannot help you, but I will not hinder you. My allies come first and I will protect them!”
Jareb leaves the aspect where she is turning one last time, ” If fate deems it so, I will look forward to our embrace.”
With Gift in one hand he launches himself into the air and sumersaults down onto a broadkill with his sword of St. Cathrine head high and shinning with a holy blaze!

With the lizard man gone for the moment, Norona ponders the strange warnings in his heart while turning his mind to the task at hand. Wheeling the hover cycle around he comes at the retreating demons from the flank, using the lasers on his hover cycle to strafe and harry the enemy.

"I will close off their Avenue of escape. Press the assault".

He ducks and weaves through the air, firing selectively. His actions aren't particularly devastating but keep the enemy busy long enough for the rest of the group to close the gap.

Conrad was not a happy Grackle; having his vehicle trashed like that, something was going to pay and one of the things that did it was still standing. Not for much longer

He opens up with the Hill Flattener, Some bits of the Siege Breaker still existed, so Conrad emptied a couple more bursts into it, before dropping it and unloading several rounds of TX and Wilks ammo into some Brodkil.

Toshiro's head swivels back and forth, trying to tell if anyone saw that amazing flying shot he pulled off. Everywhere he looks though, his team is fully engaged in the battle with the demons.

And they are doing well he thinks, easily reading the battle to see that the enemy is retreating, if not openly routing. Not much left to do really...

Toshiro silently sighs, half heartedly tracking the demon leader retreat toward his mistress through the sights of his shotgun. He squeezes the trigger - not even bothering to engage full auto mode - and his shots connect. Heavy though the slugs are, they ping off of Tarlock's armor, but startle the demon enough to draw his attention. Toshiro ducks behind a large boulder just as stream of plasma strikes where he had been standing only moments before. The heat is intense, but not enough to more than singe edges of Toshiro's robes.

Sierra looked up to see Tarlok coming toward her and the Aspect. “Uh...oops!” she said, smiling at him. He seemed to want the demoness.

“Oh no you don’t!” Sierra said. Still flaming and burning, she grabbed the Aspect under the arms and tried to take off into the air with the creature. Sierra wasn’t the strongest, though, so she grunted and strained to keep the Aspect away from Tarloc, pumping power into her wings and flames to keep aloft.

As the other demons start falling it becomes clear that the only real threat is the siege breaker and Tarlok. Pointing towards the siege breaker Kuikku commands ”Someone take that thing out!” Knowing the rest of the team is more than capable he dismisses it from his thoughts.

Turning back to Tarlok there is ice in his voice. ”You will only be given one more chance.” With that Kuikku starts a complex series of moves that appear to leave him wide open to attack. When Tarlok tries to take advantage instead Kuikku throws him to the ground and stands over him, Kuikku's feet inches from the top of Tarlok's head. With his swords crossed, each tip just touching the dirt, and where the blades cross just below Tarlok's chin, Kuikku nods. ”And this, is that chance. We can both walk away from here, or just one of us. The choice is yours.”

Without looking up he continues. ”Sierra, you can bring her back down. You and Jereb find out why they decided to attack us, other than whatever history is between her and Jareb. I think I will need Tyr, Norona, to help talking with our other guest here to see what he knows. Deezy, Conrad, Toshiro, see if there is any chance of getting the vehicles moving again. At least enough to get to town for better repairs. I think we are only a couple miles away at this point.”

Hearing Kuikku’s instructions, Sierra landed with the aspect. She kept her fires up to keep the creature unconscious. “Anyone got a way to keep her secure?” she asked. “I think I have some furry handcuffs in my pack in the truck. And I really need a fucking drink.”

"I can probably slap something together that'll hold her for at least a little while!" Deezy calls between crackling blasts from her weapon. "We'll want something more permanent before we try to move her though!"

Hindrances
Overconfident (Major): Never give up...NEVER SURRENDER!
Greedy (Minor): Building something like this is going to take a load of bread to capitalize...where’m I gonna get the money?!
Habit (Minor): Too hyperactive!

Conditions
It is late afternoon. The temperature hovers around 100 degrees fahrenheit, and the flames from your encounter are threatening to spread among the trees. Fortunately, the humidity in the air and the constant dampness of the swamp mean that the fire isn’t spreading too rapidly. No ley line is nearby.

Aftermath
Tarlok grits his teeth against the humiliation. Mortals. A Cyber-Knight, no less! I have vanquished a thousand foes, and I am felled by these misfits.

He eyes Kuikku’s psi-sword, briefly considering forcing himself upon the blade. There are worse fates, he thinks, but dismisses the idea. The Mistress still lives, and so must he, for now.

”Congratulations, meat, you have won the day. Celebrate hard, for your end is not long off.”

From where she lies in the Burster’s arms, the Mistress regenerates as fast as the odd human’s fire can burn her. Tarlok can plainly see her begin to stir beneath the flames, and he knows her consciousness (and perhaps his redemption) are close at hand.

Player Actions
With this battle over, it’s time to decide what you want to do next. The town is 1d4+1 = 5: 4 hours down the road on foot (half for flyers and 1 for the hover cycle) and you have two totaled vehicles and two captive demons to sort out. In your posts, it would be a good idea to get into the habit of mentioning how your characters handle the heat and other hazards of the swamp while out of combat (drink water, dry boots, etc.).

Tyraxas alights near the Aspect and the brodkil. He growls at the brodkil leader. He glances at Kuikku, then to Toshiro. "I know not what to do with these two. This one -" he points at Tarlok "- is a meager threat at best, and can easily be dispatched simply by my standing on him until his body explodes. However, leaving a defiant captive alive may end up costing the lives of those of you who are not nigh-invulnerable like I am. Is it proper to extend mercy to a demon, or does his nature preclude such a measure?"

He then looks at the Aspect. "That one, though, is a danger if she is conscious. I suggest we find a way either to dispatch her or to deprive her of her mystic abilities. Her regenerative capabilities would have much to overcome if I thrust one of my mighty claws through her chest. I can even carry her, impaled, to our destination while Norona, Jareb, and Kuikku discern a way to banish her permanently. We can also test my theory that ripping her head from her body will further slow her ability to regenerate."

“We should find out why they were waiting to attack us,” Sierra siad. “i mean, it ain’t like we’ve been here long enough to make enemies. Other than that, demons don’t deserve to live. Kill him.”

Sierra looked down at the beautiful creature burning in her arms. “This one did some kinda...mind whammy on me. But I can’t hurt her. Someone else will have to take care of her.” Sierra let the Aspect fall not so gently to the ground. “We got anything that can tie her up? I’ll take care of these fires.”

Sierra let her own fire field go out and started walking around the clearing, putting out the flames. She also gathered her top and coat and put them back on, a bit embarrassed for once. She felt rather useless. She couldn’t hurt vampires. She couldn’t help the team against demons. And she’d basically joined the bad guys for a bit.

“I need a fuckin’ drink,” Sierra muttered, grabbing a bottle of her tequila. She grabbed some water too, to keep hydrated.

Jareb approaches the aspect and looks at Serria leaving her side. I know that look and feeling too well. 13 years in a time before this age I was enthralled and forgot my duty. Softly he speaks the words Serria is perhaps not looking to hear. ” You are not alone. You will for a time feel like you let down the world. You will drink and seek earthly comforts in a feeble attempt to hide and forget. Unbridled debatchury will be your watchword. But...” Jareb tickles Gift with a molted winged feather, ” You will also find your path to redemption. The aspect can invoke feelings and actions contrary to our better nature. Remember this, there is nothing... ” His voice trails off as the aspect moaned and flesh healed itself from the flame and fire of Serria’s embrace.

Jareb drew a dagger seeming made from red transparent rock. The angel looks at Tarlock, ” You will need to find a new mistress. For like the mighty blade of St. Cathrine you will now as then loose something you hold dear.” With a swift motion Jareb slams the blood red dagger into the heart of the aspect. He commands, ”My dagger of binding shall join what goodness you have with me! Let us pray for both our sakes you have some left!”

Jareb cries out as the aspect eye’s go wide and she grips him with a delicate claw right where his heart beats. Gift lets out a cry! Then a flash of black and white lift erupts from the spot of his ritual and the aspect is no more.

Normally one to avoid violence at all costs, Norona is less inclined to give quarry to a demonic creature of flame.

"I generally abhor harming prisoners, or life of any kind. However, if we ust execute this one we should do so quickly. However, perhaps there is another way." He looks to their resident techno-wizard. The versatility of these strange arcane builders always impresses him, there is nothing like them in his home land. "Deezy. Can you build a device that would banish these creatures to their home dimensions."

Absently, Norona wipes his brow and then takes a moment to renew his protection from the oppressive humidity and heat. The Dregordian would love this swap, especially because of all the great challenges to their hunt prowess present beneath its canopy. "I also fear all is not yet finished. I was able to ward off another group looking to assail us mid battle, but I get the impression they are not quite finished with us. There are many things afoot in these marshes."

Jareb wrote:Jareb drew a dagger seeming made from red transparent rock. The angel looks at Tarlock, ” You will need to find a new mistress. For like the mighty blade of St. Cathrine you will now as then loose something you hold dear.” With a swift motion Jareb slams the blood red dagger into the heart of the aspect. He commands, ”My dagger of binding shall join what goodness you have with me! Let us pray for both our sakes you have some left!”

Jareb cries out as the aspect eye’s go wide and she grips him with a delicate claw right where his heart beats. Gift lets out a cry! Then a flash of black and white lift erupts from the spot of his ritual and the aspect is no more.

Flinching away Kuikku protects his vision. "Whoa, that was bright. Maybe a little warning next time? So it looks like she has been handled. What about this one?"

Norona wrote:"Deezy. Can you build a device that would banish these creatures to their home dimensions."

Raising his eyebrows Kuikku nods. "Good idea. Can you do that, Deezy?" While waiting for an answer Kuikku looks towards the vehicles. I wonder how much water is still in those tanks. I really hope we don't have to push those things to town. Though it may not be too bad with a dragon helping.

Sierra looked at Jareb. “If I knew what unbridled debauchery meant, would I be offended?” she asked, brushing off his advice. What did he know? He was like a gazillion years older than thirty! And, like, a dad! He was just missing the tacky shorts and shirts and dad hat.

When Jareb stabbed the Aspect, Sierra cried out as she was blinded by the light for a moment. “Damn! That was hard core!” she gaped. “Well, I guess that’s her taken care of.”

Sierra Mackenzie wrote:Sierra looked at Jareb. “If I knew what unbridled debauchery meant, would I be offended?” she asked, brushing off his advice.

Thinking back to some of the things that have happened with, to, and because of Sierra. "No, I think you would be intrigued, but I also think he meant it as a warning. Of course that is from the perspective of an angel, not a lowly mortal so the perspective is a little different."

Toshiro keeps his shotgun trained on the Brodkil leader, even as Jareb stabs the aspect in the chest with his blade of blinding. Toshiro's cybernetic eye automatically compensates for the brilliant flash of light that results, making it easy for him to slam the butt of his shotgun into Tarlocks face as he jumps to his feet, trying to use the party's disorientation to his advantage.

Norona wrote:"I generally abhor harming prisoners, or life of any kind. However, if we just execute this one we should do so quickly. However, perhaps there is another way." He looks to their resident techno-wizard. The versatility of these strange arcane builders always impresses him, there is nothing like them in his home land. "Deezy. Can you build a device that would banish these creatures to their home dimensions."

Toshiro frowns at Norona's suggestion, but keeps his opinion to himself.

The elf did seem to have dealt with the raptors that Toshiro picked up on the edge the woods all on his own after all. Just in case, Toshiro does take his next free moment to switch his eye to thermal imaging mode and inspects woods to the east of the road.

As the team debates what to do with the brodkil leader, Toshiro circles the demon, inspecting his cybernetics, assessing whether they might be adaptable to his own form. He specifically looks for any sign of a skill port.

If they opt to banish him, I need to make sure he doesn't have any useful chips on him...

****

After Tarlock is taken care of, Toshiro leaves the decision making to those who can more easily express their opinions. Instead, he begins rooting through the corpses of the defeated demons, collecting any useful gear and inspecting the cybernetics of the brodkil for anything that might be undamaged. His efforts are rewarded when a he notices that a brodkill sliced cleanly in half by jarebs blade has a small port tucked underneath a gleaming horn. He fiddles with port, finding the release button and grabs the ejected skill chip. He ejects his own chip and after engaging some safety protocols, inserts the one looted from the demon.

Odd, what would a group of brodkill demons use a crude dataparsing algorithm for...

Unable to sort out the puzzle, toshiro shrugs and pockets the chip.

At some point during the course of cleaning up following the battle, Toshiro decides that the minimal extra protection his robe offers isn't worth the heat it captures, and takes it off and stores it in the truck. Luckily, he doesn't wear armor like the rest of the SET.

Once he is finished, Toshiro walks up to Kuikku and pulls out a wrench from his pack. He thumbs over to the totaled ATV and raises his eyebrows quizzically.

If we do stick around to do repairs, the first thing I'm fixing is the A/C...

Tyraxas' eyes narrow as he watches the brodkil. He acknowledges Conrad, but doesn't take his eyes off of the demon. "I will assist you." Slowly, the dragon inches his way towards the overturned vehicle, never taking his eyes off of the brodkil. "I warn you, demon, that my reflexes are as fast as lightning, and while you may not burn the way other creatures do, even you cannot lift me off of you once I pounce. I am quite curious to find out what it looks like when your body goes 'POP' like a..." He leans down and whispers to Kuikku. "What is something that goes 'pop' easily when squished?"

Kuikku wrote:Kuikku glances over at the wrecked vehicles. "Yea, I am willing to take a couple hours to at least get them rolling. We can look at complete repairs after we get to town."

Toshiro frowns at the cybernight. He points up at the sun, then pinwheels his arm around in a wide circle until it returns to the suns current position. Then he pauses and holds up 3 fingers. He flattens his hand and rocks it side to side, then flashes 2, and the 4 fingers. He shrugs, hoping his message gets across. He then heads over to try and get the APC's A/C working.

Shaking his head, Norona surverys the wrecked vehicles. There is very little her can do to help. Even his powerful spirits are linked to the land, not to this man made technology. While he has certainly come to appreciate technology in this world, afterall he drives a hover cycle and carries a laser rifle, he has never really learned the principles of hos it works. Perhaps an oversight.

Looking up from the wreckage he catches Conrad's eye. No doubt the big man will be very upset that his machinery is in such bad repair, He cares for it as much as I do the land. Empathsizing, Norona offers the only help he can, "I can make best speed toward the town and perhaps locate a mechanic or other person willing to assist us. If this town is has many visitors, there may be someone there I know at least by reputation."

I Know a Guy

Pursuit if you think it is appropriate I can try to use "I Know a Guy" in town to attempt to find some help with our vehicles.

Tyraxas bows his head towards Conrad. "I am happy to be of assistance. I could, if you wish, go find Ma'arlys and bring her. I am far more likely to arrive unharmed than most of you." He looks at Norona. "Though obviously you are quite competent. I am simply stronger, and more fearsome."

Tyraxas wrote:He leans down and whispers to Kuikku. "What is something that goes 'pop' easily when squished?"

"A grape, it may not 'pop' but it squishes really nice. Drippy, gooey mess all over the place."

Toshiro 'Cybermonk' wrote:Toshiro frowns at the cybernight. He points up at the sun, then pinwheels his arm around in a wide circle until it returns to the suns current position. Then he pauses and holds up 3 fingers. He flattens his hand and rocks it side to side, then flashes 2, and the 4 fingers. He shrugs, hoping his message gets across. He then heads over to try and get the APC's A/C working.

Kuikku shakes his heas "I really don't want to take days to get there. They need these plants and we need to figure out what is causing the disease. Also, we have a mission to finish."

After hearing Norona, Conrad, and Tyraxas talk about flying a head, and who to talk to, Kuikku makes a decision. "Norona, I appreciate your talking the raptors down but we don't know how long they will give us before coming back. For that reason I think we need to get to town as fast as possible and that means you have to go. Tyr, you may be the toughest one in our group but that is why I will need you here helping me guard the others as they try to get the vehicles rolling again. Or even just able to roll, even it they have to be pushed or towed. I really want to get to town before night fall but we have what we have."

Tyraxas wrote:He looks at Norona. "Though obviously you are quite competent. I am simply stronger, and more fearsome."

"You are certainly a fright to behold," Norona agrees dryly. "However, in this case your terrible Visage may work against us. And so too do the hours of the day. The hovercycle is faster, if decidedly less powerful."

When Kukuki gives the order Norona nods and called his dire wolf. The poor creature was not created for such climes and it's fur is shaggy and soaked with sweat. Mutter a prayer of environmental protection over the huge wolf Norona smiles, "I will return shortly. Watch over these ones."

On realizing that she didn't need to banish the Aspect anymore because Jareb, uh...ate her?...Deezy goes over to where Conrad and Jameson are working on his ATV. She saunters around it a time or two and kicks a tire.

"Well shoot, son," she said. "There's your problem."

The laser torch arm on her armor lit up, and for a moment her grin showed until she slapped the visor down over her face to get to work!

Hindrances
Overconfident (Major): Never give up...NEVER SURRENDER!
Greedy (Minor): Building something like this is going to take a load of bread to capitalize...where’m I gonna get the money?!
Habit (Minor): Too hyperactive!

Tyraxas turns back to the brodkil. "A grape. You'll crush like a grape under my weight. A drippy, gooey mess." He winks at Kuikku.
He then turns and nods at Norona. "Your instruction is wise. Even at my craftiest, I may not avoid all detection when retaking the human form. A dragon that turns into one of the skull worshipers may run afoul of civilized sensibilities." With that, Tyraxas continues to assist in either flipping or lifting the vehicles to aid in their repair.

Jareb pauses and put his binding dagger back into the folds of his cloak. He sees the gang working on the vehicles and grabs a wretch from the tool pile. With care and his strength holding any metal back he places the tool and the baby gift under the hood. ”I beleive in you Gift, do what you can for this tired vehicle.”

Repair 21

Repair wild Ace EF Ace

Clank, clank, whirrl, ziit, zitt, clank, clank Jareb nods at Gifts progress and warmly with pride tells the child, ” You may have talent unseen Gift, this vehicle will only benifit from your blessing.”

After time elapses and what contributions Gift and he can make he puts the child back in his carrying pack with a bottle of milk. She giggles and burps.

Flying into town with haste Norona slows down just before reaching the outskirts so as not to appear too desperate or cause alarm. He notes a small dilapidated sign that reads "Welcome to Avanzada Seca Founded 88 P.A. By the looks of things, not much has changed since 88 P.A. either. The town is a hodgepodge of permanent structures, paved roads, dirt roads, and buildings that look like they were intended to be temporary but have outlasted their original builders' intent. However, the overgrown outpost does seem to have some capable machine workers. A valuable vocation in the hinterlands.

Moving through town he smiles and greets people, they obviously know he is not from around here but are friendly - if a little wary. There's no town directory posted anywhere but he can easily see some garages and makes his way over there - heading toward one with a large multi-wheeled truck out front. Seeing someone at work on a big swamp boat he sticks his head in and calls out, "Excellent boat. I saw one of those used to move between islands up in Canada. Used to be called Thousand Islands, now it's more like a million rocks."

The mechanic looks up from the engine and gives a fairly gregarious smile, perhaps happy to be interrupted. "A swamp boat in Canada? Did it work in the winter?"

"Why yes," Norona replies. "It just skimmed right over the ice."

Wiping his hands on a rag, and then using it to wipte his brow - which only serves to smear grease on his face - the mechanic extends his hand.

"Name's Ed."

"Well met, Ed. I am Norona, of the Tomorrow Legion. Our group fell upon some demons near town, but we did manage to collect some of the much needed medicinal plant you are looking for. Could I bother you for a tow so we can bring it to you?"

Kuikku looks at the anthill business as everyone goes to work. He then looks down at Tarlok. "I guess I should have made sure we had a way of sending you back before we started on the important things. From what Jareb has said about losing your mistress this may be more of a sympathy anyhow." With that he kneels forcing the twin blades to scissor down towards the ground like twin guillotines. As he gets back to his feet he glances towards where Norona flew away. I hope that goes as well as this appears to be going. Keeping a short distance away from all the activity Kuikku starts circling the area keeping an eye out for thing that may try to interrupt the work.

Conrad is grabbing tools when he hears the thud of Tarlok's head hitting the ground.What did Tyr drop this time? he wonders to himself as he turns around to look at what he might have to fix, when he saw Kuikku walking away from the decapitated Brodkil.

It takes a few seconds for the situation to penetrate Conrad as he understands what happened.

"WHAT THE FRAK ARE YOU DOING?" Conrad screams as he barrels into Kuikku, manhandling him against the nearest tree and holding him up in the air, face inches from the Cyber Knight's, close enough to smell Conrad's breath.

"We are not murderers!"

OOC Comments

Conrad's Heroic hindrance coming into play
I figure Kuikku isn't expecting Conrad to just pick him up and slam him into a tree. In a fight, Conrad would lose

“Know what else makes a drippy, gooey mess when you squeeze it, T-Rex?” Sierra asked Tyraxas with a big grin.

“Anything I can do to help?” Sierra asked Conrad and Deezy, putting out the blunt she had lit and taking a swig of her tequila before replacing the bottle in the truck. “Good thing I tied all my tequila down.”

When instructed, Sierra helped with what welding and cutting was needed.

Psionics 14

Psionics
Ace
Wild

And then there was some kind of a scuffle as Conrad body slammed Kuikku into a tree. Sierra came around the truck and stared. Tarlock lay headless in the muck of the swamp.

“Whoa. Hard core!” Sierra said. She watched the boys scuffle. “Boys, you have way too many clothes on to be mud wrestling, so unless someone’s got some popcorn to eat while I watch, maybe we shouldn’t kill each other over some demon that just tried to kill us.”

Conrad wrote:"WHAT THE FRAK ARE YOU DOING?" Conrad screams as he barrels into Kuikku, manhandling him against the nearest tree and holding him up in the air, face inches from the Cyber Knight's, close enough to smell Conrad's breath.

"We are not murderers!"

When Conrad first yells Kuikku looks over to the vehicles to see who has done what to the Mountaineer. When he finds himself being lifted off the ground and smashed into a tree he thinks someone may have just blown up something important. Even staying in the air, and smelling Conrad's breath, it still takes him some time to understand what is wrong. At first Kuikku starts to yell back; You don't treat a superior officer this way, even if he did not want the position, much less a Cyber Knight. Fortunately, for all involved, the moment or two it takes to get his breath back allows him rethink his answer.

"No, we are not murderers, but we do kill. What I am doing is preventing him from attacking us while we try to get the vehicles fixed. What I am doing is ensuring he does not attack the town we are headed to in reprisal for this loss. What I am doing is keeping him from causing more trouble as we work towards completing our mission. What I am doing is removing one more murderer from existence in an effort to bring peace to this world. What I am doing is making the decisions that need to be made when communication with higher authority, or any legal system, is not readily available in order to protect my team and the civilians that may be in the vicinity. What I am doing is my job, now go do yours."

OOC Comments

Cyber Knight vow: Restore peace to the world, complete the missions you are assigned
Heroic: Always helps those in need
Loyal: Without allies the world is a lonely place

Jareb flaps his sweat drenched wings over to the scuffle and looks at the two embroiled in a worthwhile discussion. Gift too watches wide eyed for what happens next. A mighty Grackle proclaims and the cool rationalization of a cyber knight.

Jareb stands as close as he dares to the two and speaks his mind with grace, ” Allies! Death is a foe as capable as any we will ever face. Command is a tool as much as it is a heavy burden. During a campaign against the deevil home I led 20 score of the hevans best against an enemy as cunning and ruthless as Turlock. They used all manner of creature against us, including humans. In the end we triumphed and had about 10,000 of humanities worst to account for. With a snap I snuffed out their wretched lives. They had sided against us and their could be no redemption. I had to protect my troops from retaliation. My vengance was swift and Ill-tempered back then.” Jareb pulls out a worn brittle doll, like a plastic barbie. ” It was only later I learned one of the humans we murdered had a family, a little daughter who liked dolls. She threw this at me when I went to apologize.”

Jareb shakes his head almost crying and clutching the doll until it’s plastic breaks and disintegrates, ” Sorry is never enough. Did Tarlock have a family? Could he have been redeemed? We will never know. I know that even though our struggle was eternal my blade will miss the chance to best him on the field of battle. Rest well and may you find peace.”